Vice President Kamala Harris forcefully defended her stance on former President Donald Trump’s economic legacy during an interview with MSNBC’s The 11th Hour host Stephanie Ruhle on Wednesday evening. The conversation, which focused on Harris’ new economic policy, turned heated when the Vice President made a claim about Trump’s impact on the U.S. economy — a claim that Ruhle quickly challenged.
Harris didn’t hesitate in her critique of Trump, stating, “Donald Trump left us with the worst economy since the Great Depression when you look at, for example, the employment numbers.” However, Ruhle interrupted to offer context, reminding Harris that the high unemployment rates were largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Unemployment was so high because we shut down the government, we shut down the country,” Ruhle pointed out.
Harris, well-prepared for the exchange, quickly countered Ruhle’s point by addressing Trump’s economic performance even before the pandemic hit. “Even before the pandemic, he lost manufacturing jobs by most people’s estimates at least 200,000,” Harris responded.
This figure is supported by an analysis from the BlueGreen Alliance, a coalition that includes major labor unions like the United Steelworkers and environmental groups such as the Sierra Club. The group’s research indicates that under Trump’s administration, manufacturing jobs, particularly in the auto sector, took a significant hit.
“Ask the autoworkers how he lost auto plants,” Harris pressed. “We have grown over 20 new auto plants.” Harris’s claim aligns with data showing that auto manufacturing jobs have seen growth under President Joe Biden, as well as during President Barack Obama’s tenure, but they stagnated during Trump’s time in office. A Politifact fact check also supports this, noting that while Trump promised to boost manufacturing jobs, the numbers largely failed to meet those expectations.
Harris also took the opportunity to highlight the stark differences between her economic vision and Trump’s. She emphasized her administration’s commitment to growing the middle class without unfairly targeting the wealthy, a key component of her economic policy. “The facts remain that Donald Trump has a history of taking care of very rich people, and I’m not mad at anybody for being rich, but they should pay their fair share,” she argued.
Harris framed her approach as one that aims to benefit everyday Americans, particularly the middle class, which she believes will ultimately strengthen the economy as a whole. “My perspective, on the economy, is when you grow the middle class, America’s economy is stronger. And there’s empirical evidence to prove my point correct,” Harris said confidently.
The interview, which showcased Harris’ assertiveness and depth of knowledge on economic issues, drew attention to the ongoing debate about Trump’s handling of the U.S. economy, especially in key sectors like manufacturing. As the country prepares for another presidential election, the differing economic visions of Harris, Biden, and Trump will likely be a central theme of the political discourse.
