For months, economic pessimists and media pundits—you know the type—painted a grim picture of the upcoming holiday season. Americans, they insisted, were struggling under the weight of inflation, rising costs, and economic uncertainty. The narrative was clear: families would be cutting back, retailers would suffer, and the traditional holiday shopping season would reflect the supposed malaise gripping the nation.

Yet as Black Friday dawned and shoppers flooded both stores and websites, a very different story emerged—one that the mainstream media seemed reluctant to acknowledge. The question on everyone’s mind: could the economy actually be roaring back to life under President Trump’s leadership?

From the Daily Wire:

“The fact is that we just had the best Black Friday that we’ve ever seen,” National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett began. “And it’s not just because people are out there, you know, taking debt on their credit cards. It’s because incomes are way up under President Trump. They dropped about $3000 a person, $6000 a family, under Joe Biden and it’s up $1500 a person so far this year. And with all that extra money, and with the government shutdown over so that people feel comfortable going back to stores, we’re seeing a really blow-out Thanksgiving and Christmas coming our way.”

Record Sales Shatter Expectations

The numbers tell a story that contradicts every doom-and-gloom prediction. Black Friday generated an astounding $11.8 billion in online sales alone—yes, billion with a ‘B’—up 9.1% from last year and setting a new single-day record. Thanksgiving Day added another $6.4 billion to the tally, while Cyber Monday is projected to reach $14.2 billion, up 6.3% from 2024.

Let’s be clear here: these aren’t marginal improvements. This is what Hassett called “a really blow-out Thanksgiving and Christmas coming our way.” The surge in spending comes even as 82% of consumers plan to shop during the holiday weekend, up from 79% last year. This isn’t a story of desperate consumers maxing out credit cards—it’s evidence of renewed confidence and genuine economic recovery.

What makes these figures even more remarkable is the contrast with the Biden era’s economic struggles. Under the previous administration, American families watched their purchasing power evaporate as inflation soared to between 5% and 10%. Real incomes dropped by $3,000 per person, forcing families to make difficult choices between necessities and holiday traditions.

The Real Story Behind the Spending

The transformation under Trump’s economic policies? Night and day, honestly. Inflation has been tamed, falling to approximately 2.5%—and here’s the kicker—wage growth is now outpacing inflation by a significant margin. This means American workers aren’t just keeping up; they’re actually getting ahead for the first time in years.

The Atlantic published a hand-wringing piece titled “Donald Trump’s War on Christmas,” claiming that families would spend an average of $132 more this year due to tariffs and various costs. Their writers—bless their hearts—apparently couldn’t foresee what happens when Americans have more money in their pockets and confidence in the economy: they spend it. And spend it they did.

Even CBS News, hardly a Trump cheerleader, had to acknowledge the reality. Hassett appeared on “Face the Nation” to push back against the narrative that increased spending was merely a reflection of higher prices. “I think those who were saying, ‘Well, maybe people are going to be anxious about going back and getting presents for the kids and so on,’ they have been disproven this weekend,” he stated.

The end of the government shutdown played its part too. When the government operates smoothly and doesn’t interfere with the natural rhythms of commerce, Americans feel secure enough to open their wallets. It’s a simple lesson that big-government advocates never seem to learn: sometimes the best thing Washington can do for the economy is to get out of the way. Radical concept, right?

What This Means for America’s Future

President Trump himself took to Truth Social to celebrate what some are calling the “Trump bump” in holiday sales, sharing news about the potential for the first quarter-trillion-dollar holiday season in history. This isn’t mere political posturing—it’s recognition of a fundamental economic shift that the establishment didn’t see coming.

Here’s the thing nobody wants to admit: the surge in holiday spending represents more than just good news for retailers. It’s validation of conservative economic principles—lower taxes, reduced regulation, and policies that put money back in workers’ pockets actually work. While the media spent months preparing obituaries for the American economy, hardworking families were quietly experiencing something very different. They were experiencing genuine prosperity returning to their households.

As we look ahead, the lesson couldn’t be clearer. When government focuses on creating conditions for growth rather than managing decline, when policies prioritize workers over bureaucrats, and when leadership projects confidence rather than crisis, the American economy doesn’t just survive—it thrives. This Black Friday didn’t just break records; it demolished the narrative that America’s best days are behind us. And that’s a gift worth celebrating.

Key Takeaways

• Black Friday 2025 shattered all records with $11.8 billion in online sales alone
• American incomes rose $1,500 per person under Trump after falling $3,000 under Biden
• Inflation plummeted from Biden’s 5-10% to Trump’s 2.5% while wages outpace costs
• Consumer confidence surge proves conservative economic policies deliver real prosperity

Sources: Daily Wire, Fox Business