Conservative strategist not certain Trump would perform well in recession

Conservative strategist Shermichael Singleton questioned President Trump’s ability to perform well in the face of a potential recession on Tuesday, raising concerns about debt and the deficit.

“The economy is doing fairly well, but look at the debt. Look at the deficit. That is what is concerning me the most,” Singleton, a former aide to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson and a columnist for The Hill, told Hill.TV’s Krystal Ball and Buck Sexton on “Rising.”

“I think a lot of economists are beginning to wonder when we will see our next recession. We’re thinking in the next year or two. So I’m beginning to wonder considering President Trump and some of his unpredictability, how well will he lead the country if we do face another recession,” he continued. “I’m not certain that he’ll do fairly well if presented with such a problem.”

Singleton’s remarks come after the Labor Department said last week that the U.S. unemployment rate ticked lower to 3.9 percent in July as employers added 157,000 jobs.

Despite economic growth, the budget deficit has been a major point of concern to Americans.

A recent American Barometer poll found that 56 percent of those surveyed said they disapproved of the Trump administration’s handling of it.

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget estimated last month that the federal deficit could surpass $1 trillion in 2019.

The estimate follows the passage of the Republican tax law last year, and the massive omnibus spending bill signed into law by Trump earlier this year.

The president has vowed to never again sign such an expansive spending bill.

— Julia Manchester