In a candid and wide-ranging Fox News interview, President Donald J. Trump offered a sharp analysis of the recent gubernatorial races in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York, where Democrats secured notable victories. Speaking nine months into his second term, Trump attributed Republican setbacks to the government shutdown, the absence of his personal endorsements in key races, and what he called “a weak economic message” that failed to resonate with middle-class voters struggling with affordability.

“The shutdown hurt us, no question,” Trump told host Bret Baier. “Millions of Americans were feeling it. Add to that the fact that some candidates didn’t have my endorsement, and Republicans simply didn’t talk enough about what really matters—jobs, paychecks, and lowering costs for families.”

The President contrasted the current challenges with the record-setting achievements of his administration. “When I took office, inflation was out of control under Biden. He took over my economy when inflation was at 1%, which was perfect—and he drove it nine or ten times higher in no time. When I came back, it was a total mess. Now, inflation is way down,” Trump said.

Highlighting his administration’s record, Trump pointed to five-year lows in energy prices, record highs in the U.S. stock market, and over **$17 trillion in new investments**, which he credited to his “America First” economic agenda and aggressive tariff strategy. “The tariffs saved us,” he said. “They stopped China from wrecking our economy, and now we’re leading again.”

When asked about foreign policy, Trump referenced his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping: “When I went to that meeting, we had a rare earth problem. When I left, we had a record purchase of soybeans.” He emphasized that the U.S.–China relationship is “strong but firm,” underscoring his commitment to fair trade and national security.

Turning to domestic politics, Trump urged Republicans to eliminate the Senate filibuster, calling it “a tool for gridlock” that prevents progress. “If we got rid of the filibuster, we would approve so many good things—common-sense things, wonderful things—that it would be hard to beat us,” he said.

In response to a question about newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, Trump was blunt: “For a thousand years, Communism has not worked. I tend to doubt it’s going to work this time.” When Baier asked if he had seen Mamdani’s speech, Trump replied, “Yeah, I thought it was a very angry speech. He’s off to a bad start.”

Throughout the interview, Trump’s tone mixed reflection with confidence. He acknowledged recent political challenges but made clear that his administration remains focused on results. “We’re bringing back strong borders, low prices, and high confidence in America,” he said. “That’s what wins elections—and that’s what makes our country great again.”

The President’s remarks reflect a broader message to his party: that success depends not on playing defense, but on bold action. As Trump put it, “We built the greatest economy once. We’re doing it again.”