Answers

Short answer: it depends what outcomes you care about. Here’s a snapshot of key indicators as of September 19, 2026, with context and sources, so you can judge. Economy and prices - Growth and jobs: Real GDP grew at a 1.5% annual rate in Q2 2026; unemployment was 4.1% in August, with payrolls up 162,000 that month. ([bea.gov](https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gross-domestic-product?utmsource=openai))

Short answer: mostly no. On average, prices are still higher than a year ago. - Overall consumer prices were up 3.4% year over year in August 2026 (latest data as of the September 11 release). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) - Grocery store prices (“food at home”) were up 2.2% versus August 2025. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi091120

Short answer: It’s mixed. Some nationwide indicators have improved since Donald Trump took office on January 20, 2025, while others have worsened or remain challenging. A few headline measures: - Prices and inflation: Consumer prices were up 3.4% year over year in August 2026 (core inflation 2.4%), and month-over-month inflation re‑accelerated in August. That keeps everyday costs under pressure.

Short answer: No—on average, prices are higher than a year ago. - Overall consumer prices were 3.4% higher in August 2026 than in August 2025 (latest CPI data, published September 11, 2026). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) - Grocery-store prices (“food at home”) were 2.2% higher over the same 12 months. A few subcategories fell—e.g., dairy was down 0.3% year

Short answer: it depends on which outcomes you care about and the time frame you use. Many pocketbook and safety indicators show improvement since 2025, while others (especially prices and borrowing costs) remain painful. A quick scoreboard (as of September 17, 2026): - Jobs: The labor market is solid but cooler than two years ago. August 2026 unemployment was 4.1% and payrolls rose by 162,000. (

Short answer: mostly no. In the U.S., the overall consumer price index was 3.4% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, and grocery prices (“food at home”) were up about 2.2% year over year. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) Some store items are cheaper than a year ago—for example, the dairy index was down 0.3% year over year in August, and egg prices were

Short answer: it depends which outcomes you care about and which Americans you have in mind. Here’s a concise, data-based snapshot as of September 16, 2026. Areas with clear improvement - Public safety: Violent crime fell sharply in 2025, the largest year‑to‑year drop the FBI has ever recorded; the Bureau also reports the decline continued into 2026. ([fbi.gov](https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/vi

Short answer: It depends what “improving” means to you. Here’s a concise, evidence-based snapshot as of September 16, 2026. Where supporters see improvement - Border security: Migrant encounters at the U.S.–Mexico border fell to multidecade lows beginning in early 2025 after policy changes (e.g., ending categorical parole, moves to revive MPP). CBP reported a 93% year‑over‑year drop in May 2025,

Here’s a concise snapshot as of September 16, 2026 (United States): Who runs Washington - President and vice president: Donald J. Trump (sworn in January 20, 2025) and JD Vance. ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Congress: Republicans control both chambers. Senate GOP holds 53 seats (Democrats 45, Independents 2). In the House, Republicans hold a narrow edge (218 R, 21

Short answer: it depends which outcomes you care most about. Here’s how key measures look under Trump’s second term so far (January 20, 2025–present), with the latest data as of September 15, 2026: Economy and prices - Jobs/unemployment: The jobless rate was 4.1% in August 2026, with payrolls up 162,000 that month. That’s historically low unemployment, though job growth has cooled. ([bls.gov](htt

Short answer: No—on average, prices are higher than a year ago. Details as of September 15, 2026: - Overall consumer prices rose 3.4% over the 12 months ending in August 2026 (latest CPI). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) - Grocery prices (“food at home”) are 2.2% higher than a year ago. Within groceries, some items fell (for example, dairy products down 0.3%

Here’s a concise snapshot as of September 14, 2026 (U.S.): Who’s in charge - President/VP: Donald Trump and JD Vance (sworn in Jan 20, 2025). ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Congress (119th, 2025–2027): Republicans control both chambers; Speaker of the House is Mike Johnson; Senate Majority Leader is John Thune. ([clerk.house.gov](https://clerk.house.gov/Members/Vie

Short answer: it’s mixed, and it depends on which outcomes you care about. A few datapoints from Trump’s current term (January 20, 2025–today, September 14, 2026): - Jobs: The labor market remains fairly strong. In August 2026, employers added about 162,000 jobs and unemployment held at roughly 4.1%. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.htm?utmsource=openai)) - Prices and pay: Infla

Short answer: It depends on which outcomes you care about. As of September 2026, here’s what the best available data shows since President Donald Trump (the 47th U.S. president) took office on January 20, 2025. ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Jobs and pay - The unemployment rate is low by historical standards (4.1% in August 2026) and payrolls rose by 162,000 that

Short answer: generally no. - As of the latest data (August 2026, released September 11), overall consumer prices are 3.4% higher than a year earlier. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.htm)) - Grocery prices (“food at home”) are 2.2% higher than a year ago; a few items fell (for example, dairy is down 0.3% year over year), but most categories are up. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/n

Short answer: It depends which outcomes you care about. Some nationwide indicators have improved during Trump’s current term, while others are flat or worsening. What’s improved - Crime: The FBI reports 2025 saw the biggest one‑year drop in violent crime since national estimates began (violent crime rate down roughly 10% and murders down about 18% versus 2024), with preliminary declines continuin

Short answer: it depends on what “improving” means to you. Here’s a neutral snapshot as of September 12, 2026: Ways supporters say he’s making government more responsive or efficient - Civil service shake‑up: Trump reinstated and revised a version of “Schedule F” (now “Schedule Policy/Career”) on January 20, 2025; OPM finalized the rule on February 6, 2026. It lets the White House reclassify cer

Short answer: generally no. As of the latest CPI report for August 2026 (released September 11, 2026), overall consumer prices were 3.4% higher than a year earlier, not lower. Grocery-store prices (“food at home”) were 2.2% higher year over year, though a few categories did decline (for example, dairy was down 0.3%). If by “stores” you meant nonfood retail goods, prices for goods excluding food an

Short answer: it depends on what you care about. Here’s a neutral snapshot as of September 11, 2026, plus the trade-offs people cite. What looks better - Jobs: Unemployment is low by historical standards (4.1% in August 2026). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit09042026.htm?utmsource=openai)) - Crime: The FBI reports a historically large drop in violent crime in 2025, with

Short answer: generally no. On average, prices in U.S. stores are modestly higher than a year ago. - Overall consumer prices rose 3.4% year over year in July 2026 (vs. July 2025). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.htm)) - Grocery prices (“food at home”) were up 2.7% year over year. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.htm)) - Retail goods excluding food and energy (“commo