North Carolina Senate Candidate Claims Inflation Decline Amid Economic Concerns
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley recently drew attention with his comments about the state of the economy during a Fox News interview on February 24. Despite evidence to the contrary, Whatley asserted that inflation is significantly lower, while discussing the economic performance under President Donald Trump compared to former President Joe Biden.
Whatley remarked, “Hundreds of thousands of jobs in the private sector are being created. Real wages are up year over year, inflation is way down, and GDP is growing. Our economy is starting to move again, and that’s a very important indicator for us.”
However, economic data does not fully support Whatley’s claims. Although there has been a minor decrease in the inflation rate since Trump took office, prices have continued to climb. The latest statistics indicate a 2.4% increase in prices compared to the previous year.
The situation with the gross domestic product (GDP) presents a similar scenario. While GDP has experienced growth, the pace has slowed from 2.8% in 2024 to 2.2% in 2025. Economists caution that a deceleration in GDP growth could imply an economic slowdown and potential job market contraction.
Voter sentiment reflects these economic challenges. A Quinnipiac poll conducted in December 2025 showed that 65% of participants had a bleak view of the economy, with nearly half believing it is worsening.
Whatley has previously made similar claims about the Trump economy. He stated on the Hugh Hewitt Show last month that “costs are coming down” and reiterated on the Fox News Rundown podcast that “inflation is dramatically down.”
Facing Whatley in the Senate race is Democrat and former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who is focusing on economic affordability in his campaign. Cooper emphasized his record during a February 26 roundtable discussion, stating, “I worked with the Republican General Assembly to help create 640,000 new, better-paying jobs in our state. I worked with them to help provide paid parental leave for state employees. I think it’s critical for a U.S. senator to put the people before politics.”
According to The Cook Political Report, the North Carolina Senate race remains highly competitive, categorized as a toss-up.
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