The performance of the stock market has been a bragging point for President Donald Trump from the moment he took office in January 2017.
And in a presidency plagued by problems, it remained a bright spot.
However one conservative commentator is determined to rain on Trump's parade. Author and writer for The Atlantic and a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, Frum is no fan of President Trump.
After the President tweeted a headline from CNBC...
"'Trump Stock Market rally is far outpacing past U.S. presidents' ~ CNBC"
"With new trade deals, and more, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"
...Frum provided a little fact check.
First directly on Trump's tweet:
Frum provided figures as of November 29, 2019.
@davidfrum/Twitter
Then Frum provided additional information on his own thread.
Others backed Frum's numbers.
Joe Hynes provided figures for the DOW and S&P as of December 26, 2019.
Trump was still running behind President Barack Obama.
@jrileyhynes/Twitter
@jrileyhynes/Twitter
I ran the numbers myself just b/c so many people say contradictory things.
Yesterday was Day 1,070 of Trump's term in office. The Dow has gained 44.35% in the time.
But the market gained more at the same exact point during several other recent Presidential terms.
— TheValuesVoter (@TheValuesVoter) December 27, 2019
Others also corrected Trump's false claim.
But some felt people were focusing on the wrong things.
But all those other Presidents were never⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬⏬ pic.twitter.com/sm7tVDMoAJ
— Eloise 🌊⚓🌊⚓🌊⚓🌊⚓🌊 (@ElNoPower) December 27, 2019
What about the deficit? When does that catch up with America and matter again?
— Kennwick (@kennwickman) December 27, 2019
7/10 new jobs pay less than $30K a year. @realDonaldTrump and the @GOP are KILLING the Middle Class!
The stock market is like the very, low unemployment rate, it's all a mirage. Gains in the economy are only benefiting those who are already doing great.#WageZombie
— CMCD (@CMCD048) December 27, 2019
This is the wrong measure of economic success. Moneys formerly used to pay for government spending are being use to buy back stock.
— Chris Baskerville (@Ramit85) December 27, 2019
The only true statement he will ever make is that his lies far outpace those of past presidents by leaps and bounds.
— Melanka (@CLaurignano) December 27, 2019
And while people try to claim Trump's popularity is based on the economy, others point to another reason.
I look past stock market performance like Trump supporters look past his crimes, lack of leadership, racism, sexism, abhorrent behaviors and embarrassment on the global stage
— WithValor (@WithValor56) December 27, 2019
People predicted a fall coming soon.
The pyramid game market will collapse just like it has with past gop presidents but this coming collapse will be far greater and more impressive.
— G (@giancarloqui1) December 27, 2019
The stock market is only so high because Trump handed out massive corporation tax cuts and allowed corporations to buy back stock which improved their respective stock market valuations. Period.
— Stephen Elpop (@ElpopGolf) December 27, 2019
The stock market is absolutely irrelevant under these circumstances. Trump traded 2 trillion of YOUR money to billionaires in exchange for millions in contributions and a market on an artificial sugar-high. The whole thing will come crashing down like his bankruptcies.
— Robb Royer (@TXFartingsworth) December 27, 2019
As of Friday, December 27, 2019, the 2020 election is 311 days away. Are you registered to vote?
David Frum's book Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic is available here.