Janet Yellen didn’t mince words during her scathing CNN appearance this week, blasting President Donald Trump for what she called an “economic demolition job.” “President Trump inherited an economy where growth was very strong… and he took a wrecking ball to it,” said the former Treasury Secretary. Her remarks were a fiery indictment of Trump’s tenure, portraying his economic legacy as reckless, reactionary, and rooted in economic illiteracy.
Janet Yellen emphasized that under Biden, the U.S. saw record job creation, low unemployment, and a stabilizing financial sector. Trump, in contrast, gambled away that momentum with populist posturing and poorly executed trade wars. “This wasn’t policy—it was performative chaos,” she said. Yellen’s tone made it clear: Trump’s economic management wasn’t just flawed—it was catastrophic.
Tariffs That Tanked: “Harebrained” Trade Policies Shook Global Markets
According to Janet Yellen, Trump’s tariff policy wasn’t just ill-conceived—it was economically suicidal. “His trade war was an unmitigated disaster,” she said. The tariffs—particularly those targeting steel, aluminum, and Chinese imports—triggered market volatility, disrupted global supply chains, and prompted retaliatory measures that hurt American exporters more than their foreign counterparts.
Janet Yellen underscored how Trump’s approach was marred by incoherence and ego. “There was no strategic logic—just bluster,” she said. Investors recoiled, the stock market stumbled, and Trump ultimately slashed most tariffs to 10% to save face. “Except China,” Yellen added with irony. “He never understood that tariffs are taxes on Americans—not foreign governments.”
The Illusion of Economic Genius: Trump’s Reality Show Myth Exploded
Janet Yellen scoffed at Trump’s self-styled image as a business titan, calling it a “dangerous delusion.” “He’s not a financial genius—he’s a legacy case with a string of bankruptcies,” she quipped. Trump’s branding, fueled by The Apprentice, painted him as a master negotiator. In reality, Yellen argued, his understanding of economics is superficial at best and catastrophically wrong at worst.
“This is what happens when you hand the global economy to a man whose empire was built on defaulted loans and vanity projects,” she added. Trump’s failure to grasp macroeconomic fundamentals led to flawed decisions with long-term damage. According to Yellen, “America paid the price for his ignorance.”
Biden’s Economic Momentum Derailed: “He Inherited Stability—Then Sabotaged It”
Janet Yellen drew a sharp contrast between the Biden and Trump administrations, pointing out that Biden’s policies had created a robust labor market, strengthened consumer spending, and tamed inflation. “We were on a solid path to sustained growth,” she explained. Then came the Trump chaos. “It was like watching a toddler with a chainsaw,” she said of Trump’s intervention in the economic machinery.
She warned that another Trump presidency could permanently derail the post-COVID recovery. “Trump isn’t just a threat to democracy—he’s a hazard to economic health,” Yellen said. Her words are likely to fuel political debates as the 2026 campaign season heats up, with the economy once again emerging as the battleground issue.
Failing Grade for Trump: “Not Even a Gentleman’s C”
When asked how she would grade Trump’s economic performance, Yellen didn’t hesitate. “I’m afraid I could not give it a passing grade,” she told CNN bluntly. It was a damning assessment from one of the world’s most respected economists. Trump’s reliance on isolationist trade policies, tax cuts for the wealthy, and volatile rhetoric all contributed to a failing mark.
Janet Yellen said the Trump administration squandered a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in infrastructure, renewable energy, and inclusive growth. “Instead, we got circus politics and crony capitalism,” she said. Her critique was a call to voters to examine results, not rhetoric, when assessing Trump’s economic impact.
From Atlantic City to America: A Pattern of Collapse
In a powerful final jab, Yellen compared Trump’s presidency to his failed casinos. “His promise of an American Golden Age collapsed like his casino in Atlantic City,” she said. The metaphor wasn’t just symbolic—it was factual. Trump’s ventures have often ended in financial disaster, lawsuits, and job losses, much like the economy he left behind.
Janet Yellen’s remarks strike at the heart of the Trump mythos: that he’s a savvy businessman who can fix anything. “In truth,” she said, “he was born on third base and thought he hit a home run.” As the election looms, Yellen’s brutal takedown may serve as a rallying cry for those wary of giving Trump another shot at steering the economy—and the nation.
