Former Trump economic adviser Stephen Moore offered a blunt assessment of the U.S. economy on Tuesday, handing it a letter grade of B and acknowledging that voters’ frustration over high prices remains a major political problem for the administration.
Appearing on The Jesse Kelly Show, Moore said the economy is “not a great economy. It’s a good economy,” and he would give its current state a B. He also admitted that “people are still angry about high prices. I am.”
Moore’s remarks come as President Trump’s poll numbers on the economy lag, a puzzle given other indicators of strength. Asked why Trump’s approval on economic matters is weak, Moore pointed to lingering price pressures, especially at the gas pump and grocery store.
“So, I think there are a couple of [reasons]: First of all, it’s a strong economy. It’s not a great economy. It’s a good economy,” Moore said. “And — because people are still angry about high prices. I am. I just paid $4.25 a gallon to fill up. So, I don’t like doing that. But we are, by far, the best economy in the world.”
His own trip to the pump — $4.25 per gallon — underscored the disconnect between macroeconomic data and household experience. Moore argued that anger is driven by high gas prices, which ripple into food, transportation, and manufacturing costs.
“People are angry, because of high gas prices, which leads to high food prices, transportation, manufacturing,” he said. “We’ve got to get that oil price down. It will happen.”
Despite that frustration, Moore sees the broader picture as solid but not stellar. “I’m going to give it a B, not an A, but a B,” he said.
Inflation Outlook
Moore also expressed confidence in Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh, predicting that Warsh “will bring the inflation rate down.” But he cautioned that relief won’t come overnight. “Until it comes down, people are going to still be angry because groceries cost a lot,” he said.
He noted that inflation is currently lower than it was under the Biden administration — a point the White House has emphasized in recent messaging. But Moore’s comments suggest that simply comparing inflation rates to the previous administration may not be enough to soothe voters who are still feeling the sting of high everyday costs.
The interview highlights a key tension for the Trump administration: while economic growth and job numbers may look respectable, the memory of recent price spikes — and the ongoing level of prices, even if inflation is cooling — continues to shape public sentiment. Gasoline above $4 a gallon and costly groceries are tangible, everyday reminders that voters weigh heavily when they head to the polls.
Moore’s B grade, while not glowing, is a far cry from the dire assessments some critics offer. Still, his admission that the economy is “good” rather than “great” — and his own anger at prices — signals that the administration has work to do in winning over consumers and voters alike.
Political observers note that economic perceptions often lag behind reality. Even if data shows improvement, households may not feel it until their wallets do. Moore’s comments suggest that the path to stronger approval ratings runs through the oil market and the grocery aisle.
Whether Warsh and the Fed can deliver the price relief Moore predicts remains to be seen. But for now, the former adviser’s message is clear: the economy is passing, but it hasn’t earned top marks — and voters know it.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/09/09/stephen-moore-id-give-economy-a-b-its-good-not-great/