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# A Response to my Good Republican Friend: But it ain't about the Dow!
- URL: https://nuff-sed.com/a-response-to-my-good-republican-friend-but-it-aint-about-the-dow/
- Published: 2026-09-20T15:50:44.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-20T15:50:44.000Z
- Author: Thomas Raleigh

So, one of my readers asks a very good question. He wants to know why I don’t ever talk about the stock market in my criticisms of the Trump administration. He was responding to yesterday’s post, “*Nothing F#%^&\*\* Works Anymore!!!”,* where I was asking why so many things were just not working for the Trumpster.

His question inspired me to write something on the subject, so bear with me, please.

I hear from a lot of folks who don’t share my views on the subject of Trump. And, one thing I do notice is that those who disagree with me do tend to bring up the stock market a lot. I think they believe that if the stock market is doing so well, what’s to criticize?

Remember Pam Bondi, the failed Attorney General? During a February 11, 2026, House Judiciary Committee hearing, when pressed on the Epstein Files, she immediately flicked her hair and excitedly blurted out:

“The Dow is over 50,000 right now! The S&P at almost 7,000 and the Nasdaq’s smashing records. Americans’ 401Ks and retirements are booming. That’s what we should be talking about!”

I watched that exchange. It seems a bit non sequitur given the line of questioning and her government position. Seems to me that matters concerning the stock market would be better served by either the Treasury or Commerce Secretary, not the AG.

Anyhow, I never thought much about how MAGA folks for certain and some Republicans reference the DOW as some sort of banner of accomplishment until my friend asked the question.

I did some research, and here’s my answer.

It’s not like everyone owns stock and thereby benefits. A little over half the U.S. population participates in the stock market. That means half don’t. As you might expect, 87% of households making over $100K invest in the market. Folks under $100K invest much less. 

Point is, not everyone invests in the stock market.

Here’s another major consideration. To suggest that Trump runs a “successful” presidency because the market is up is simply not true. 

It does not get him off the hook, nor does it somehow offset all the wrongs he has committed upon the U.S. and its citizens.

Look it up yourself.

Under Obama, the Dow increased 149% and the S&P climbed to 235%. Under Biden, the Dow increased 39.5%, and the S&P rose 56%. In Trump’s 1st term, the Dow increased 56%, and the S&P rose 69.6%. Trump’s 2nd term shows the Dow up 18.8%, with the S&P up 27.6%.

And for the record, since WWII, only 3 administrations experienced declines in the stock market during their full terms. Those would be Bush II, Nixon, and Ford.

So no, the stock market does not represent any banner of achievement for me.

Thanks for asking.

NUFF SED!!!