Vice President JD Vance stated during a televised town hall that it will likely take more than 18 months for the U.S. economy to show significant improvement. Speaking in Michigan, Vance addressed voter concerns regarding the current economic climate and the pace of recovery under the administration's policies.
The comments come as public opinion polls indicate widespread dissatisfaction among Americans regarding the state of the economy and inflation. According to those polls, a majority of voters attribute these economic challenges to the policies enacted by the administration of President Donald Trump.
During the event, a small-business owner informed Vance that her business was currently struggling. Vance responded by stating that the country’s issues were not created in a single presidential term and therefore cannot be resolved quickly, adding that the administration is in the process of "turning the ship around."
When asked by anchor Tony Dokoupil about President Trump’s recent "A+" self-grading of the economy, Vance said the president was referring to "massive new investments" entering the country. Vance noted that factories must be constructed before workers can be employed in them, characterizing the current phase as a necessary preliminary step in a longer economic process.
The delay in economic results described by the Vice President carries implications for how federal investments are perceived by the public. If the "massive new investments" cited by the administration do not translate into active payrolls and reduced inflation within the stated 18-month window, it could influence future legislative priorities or public support for current trade and industrial policies. The acknowledgment of a prolonged recovery period sets a benchmark by which voters may judge the effectiveness of the executive branch's economic management.
What happens next depends on the pace of factory construction and the subsequent hiring of workers mentioned by the Vice President. The full town hall, titled "Things That Matter," is scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+ on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Following the broadcast, the special will be available for viewing on CBSNews.com and other digital platforms.