Consumer confidence jumped more than 12 points in May, snapping a five-month decline and signaling renewed public optimism about President Trump’s trade strategy and economic leadership.
Key Facts:
- The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 98.0 in May, up 12.3 points from April.
- Experts had predicted a much lower figure of 86.0, according to Dow Jones estimates.
- This marks the end of a five-month decline in consumer confidence.
- The Expectations Index, measuring future outlook, jumped 17.4 points but remains below recession-warning levels.
- President Trump’s ongoing trade negotiations and recent tariff reductions appear to be boosting public optimism.
The Rest of The Story:
The May spike in consumer confidence came as a surprise to many analysts, especially considering ongoing uncertainty around international trade.
The Conference Board report shows not just a sharp increase in optimism, but also a break from a long stretch of declining sentiment.
Economist Stephanie Guichard noted that the rebound began even before the U.S.-China tariff truce was announced on May 12.
Once the deal was in place, optimism accelerated.
She explained, “The rebound was already visible before the May 12 US-China trade deal but gained momentum afterwards.”
Guichard further stated, “Consumers were less pessimistic about business conditions and job availability over the next six months and regained optimism about future income prospects. Consumers’ assessments of the present situation also improved.”
She also acknowledged a slight caution: “While consumers were more positive about current business conditions than last month, their appraisal of current job availability weakened for the fifth consecutive month.”
Adding fuel to the upbeat outlook, inflation dropped to its lowest point in over four years.
With multiple trade negotiations underway — including with the U.K., China, and the EU — the White House framed this as evidence that the president’s policies are working.
“THE TRUMP EFFECT!” declared White House Communications Director Steven Cheung.
THE TRUMP EFFECT!
Consumer confidence rose 12.3 points this month to a reading of 98.
That’s higher than economists’ expectations for a reading of 88. https://t.co/yTJndbONkB
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) May 27, 2025
Commentary:
This latest surge in consumer confidence is no accident — it reflects real economic momentum.
President Trump has been bold in using tariffs and tough negotiations to get better trade deals for America.
While the markets have been volatile, Main Street is feeling more secure.
The strategy hasn’t been pretty.
There’s been pushback from globalists and multinational firms.
But when everyday Americans see their dollars go further and their income prospects brighten, they know something’s going right.
Inflation dropping to a four-year low is a major win.
That means the average family can buy more with what they earn — a sharp contrast to the stagnation of previous administrations.
Critics warned that Trump’s tactics would trigger economic disaster.
Instead, we’re seeing renewed optimism and the early fruits of fairer trade deals.
Consumer sentiment is often a leading indicator of broader economic performance.
If Americans feel this confident before deals are finalized, imagine the potential once they’re secured.
Trump’s approach may cause some short-term noise, but in the long run, it’s delivering results where they count.
The Bottom Line:
President Trump’s trade and economic policies are starting to pay off — at least in the eyes of the American consumer.
Confidence is climbing, inflation is falling, and optimism is spreading.
While challenges remain, this month’s numbers suggest Americans believe the future looks brighter.
Read Next
– DNC Vice Chair Takes Heat For His Choice of Who The Leader of the Democratic Party Should Be
– Illegal Alien Caught Stealing $400,000 in Taxpayer Benefits, Voting in 2024 Election
– UK Considering Mandatory Chemical Castration For Sex Offenders