A 'golden age' vs. 'we're working on it': Trump, Vance give different economy pitches

Donald Trump has been selling voters on an economic “golden age.” Vice President JD Vance has struck a more cautious note, saying people are still hurting and that the administration is “working on it.”

The ABC/AP report places those messages against persistent household pressures: consumer confidence is low, mortgage rates are near a three-year high, and energy costs are adding to inflation worries. The gap between a celebratory slogan and the costs families face is the tension at the center of the story.

Vance has pointed to his working-class background as he speaks about the economy, while Trump has spent time promoting his record and other projects, including the White House ballroom. One voter interviewed by the wire service said Trump talks up the economy while Vance sounds more grounded.

The difference is less a detailed policy split than a contrast in tone. With the midterms approaching, the administration’s challenge is to make its upbeat message credible to people who still feel squeezed.