February 20, 2026 at 08:39AM
US GDP growth disappoints to cap 2025, Trump blames government shutdown
US GDP growth in Q4 2025 came in below expectations, signaling a slower finish to the year than economists anticipated. The weaker-than-forecast expansion aligns with ongoing concerns about the sustainability of growth amid tighter fiscal and monetary conditions.
President Trump attributed the slower growth to a government shutdown, arguing it hampered economic activity and confidence. Critics have pointed to other factors such as supply chain frictions and consumer spending softness as contributing to the miss.
Markets and policymakers will be watching forthcoming data for signs of a rebound or if the economy is entering a softer trajectory into 2026.