Eric Trump took to Twitter on Thursday, October 28, to spread what he thought was great news for President Trump: a third quarter GDP growth of 33.1%
Unfortunately for the President's son, many of Twitter's economically inclined users were close at hand to explain some basic maths to him.
π¨π¨π¨ Third Quarter GDP grew by 33.1%! π₯π₯π₯β Eric Trump (@Eric Trump) 1603977942.0
@EricTrump Yes it did BUT it lost 30% the quarter before. Looks like a 0% gain over two quarters. Booming economy πβ Stephen Smith (@Stephen Smith) 1603986710.0
@EricTrump It's not really growth. We are still far from catching upβ Laura Hubka RDMS. USN Vet. #Iowa. (@Laura Hubka RDMS. USN Vet. #Iowa.) 1603978757.0
Some users gave Trump's GDP analysis even more credit than it deserved by placing the net growth at around 0%.
In truth, a 33% loss followed by a 33% gain is still a net loss, because 33% of a smaller number is, obviously, smaller.
Second quarter contracted 33% Net gain one tenth of one percent #EnoughIsEnough https://t.co/83GqAFK2LAβ Randi Rhodes (@Randi Rhodes) 1604021970.0
@EricTrump π¨π¨π¨Best con ever!!! A thief returns $50 of the $100 he stole and says you made a 50% profit! Sell this BS somewhere elseβ Calm After the Storm (@Calm After the Storm) 1603978771.0
@EricTrump And so where does that put us overall since Jan β17? Go ahead. Weβll wait.β Rob Sand (@Rob Sand) 1603978889.0
Though the GDP improving is undeniably good news, the situation is still dire for many Americans, although the Trumps prefer to pretend everything is totally fine.
@EricTrump Not so hard to do when it drops 40% Eric...β USED TO BE G.O.P. (@USED TO BE G.O.P.) 1603978219.0
@EricTrump Yes, but that does not help the folks still out of work, those small businesses are not suddenly re-openβ¦ https://t.co/5EcjNU2DAYβ Sue wears a mask. You should too. BLM. (@Sue wears a mask. You should too. BLM.) 1603978428.0
@EricTrump Hey Eric, if you lose $100Million but then gain back $50Million, are you UP by $50Million, or DOWN by $50Million?β Voting Rights Act on day one, please. (@Voting Rights Act on day one, please.) 1603978253.0
Of the many things Eric Trump is known for, a grasp of the basics has never been one of them.
@EricTrump Still -4% off late 2019 numbers and that 33% is an annualized number based on the 3rd quarter growth tryβ¦ https://t.co/8ACH0AuOq1β Sladen (@Sladen) 1603979632.0
@EricTrump Aw bless you Eric you donβt understand economics do you, maybe you should stick to the easy lessons like potty training ..β Richard Fenton (@Richard Fenton) 1603978317.0
The GDP and the stock market may be improving from their earlier disasters, but that doesn't mean average Americans are feeling secure financially.
@EricTrump There are still 22 million collecting unemployment.β Honorable Dr Guilded Dirigible (@Honorable Dr Guilded Dirigible) 1603995068.0
@EricTrump People are still out of work 225,000 dead Food bank lines are hours long Covid testing sites are hours longβ I am Sam (@I am Sam) 1603983170.0
@EricTrump https://t.co/Bneo2Kl9ckβ BillMemphis (@BillMemphis) 1603980441.0
Next week, Americans will finish casting their votes to determine whether Eric Trump will be someone they have to hear about regularly for another four years.
Even Eric's fans, however, probably aren't following him for his economic advice.