Trump's Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, drew ridicule Friday when he promised America's growth rate would reach 6 percent under President Donald Trump's leadership.
Lutnick spoke at the Semafor World Economy Summit during a live session in which he acknowledged Trump's war in Iran created "fear and uncertainty." Despite stark warnings of economic catastrophe from chaos surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and Trump's tariffs, Lutnick maintained America's Golden Age is right around the corner.
"The growth rate in the United States will hit 6% under Donald Trump's leadership. It will hit 6% annual GDP growth under Donald Trump's leadership," Lutnick said in comments flagged by independent journalist Aaron Rupar.
"But not this year?" the moderator pushed back.
Lutnick deflected.
"Well, let's see! Let's see," he insisted, appearing to underpin his prediction on whether Iran opens the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil passes.
When pressed on whether he's really holding onto his 6% prediction, Lutnick doubled down.
"I am."
His comment quickly led to ridicule online.
The social media commentator known as scary lawyerguy noted on X, "Same guy who said in March 2025 that by the 4th quarter of last year the economy would be 'humming.' (GDP growth was .5%)."
Jessica Riedl, a fellow at the Brookings Institute, wrote on X, "Note how the 6% economic growth, falling prices, and balanced budgets are always coming sometime later. If Trump has the genius to accomplish all of this, then what was he doing during the 5 years he has been president? (Answer: making excuses and blaming everyone else)."
Kathryn Watson, a reporter at CBS News, wrote on X, "The (pre-COVID) economy was generally considered strong under Trump's first term. And even then, GDP topped out at about 3.4%. If 6% was possible, why wouldn't the president have accomplished it in his first term?"
Eric Boehm, a writer at Reason, wrote on X, "Trump has been president for 5+ years. Why is the golden age always approaching and never arriving?"
Nick Freiling, an editor at Theophaneia, added, "All bets are off, too, if the GOP loses the midterms. There will be no Golden Age, and he'll be able to say it's because the Dems prevented it."
Lutnick: "The growth rate in the United States will hit 6% under Donald Trump's leadership. It will hit 6% annual GDP growth under Donald Trump's leadership." pic.twitter.com/NFQpaLaLFu
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 17, 2026