Trump’s claim of media silence meets earlier US economic coverage

CNN and Reuters had already covered strong US economic figures when President Donald Trump accused the news media of refusing to report the country’s “BEST FINANCIAL NUMBERS EVER” on Truth Social on 26 September 2026. His evening post named no figures or outlets. In a separate post earlier that day, he had highlighted household income, poverty and business activity. [1] [2] [6] [7]

Some of those figures were strong. Census data released on 15 September put inflation-adjusted median household income at a record $87,460 in 2025, up 2.6% from 2024. The official poverty rate fell to 10.2%, though Census described it as *one of* the lowest rates on record, rather than a statistically distinct record low. Its broader supplemental poverty measure was 13.1%, with no statistically significant change from 2024. [3] [4]

A preliminary S&P Global survey also showed US business activity expanding in September at its fastest pace since July 2021. That supports Trump’s earlier, more specific description of a more-than-five-year high, not an all-time record. The same survey found business costs rising at their fastest pace in nearly four years. [2] [5]

CNN reported the income record and fall in official poverty on 15 September; Reuters reported the business-activity figures on 23 September. Both reports preceded Trump’s posts. Their existence contradicts a blanket suggestion that the figures went unreported, although the evening post did not define which outlets he meant or how much coverage he expected. [6] [7]