Trump-Endorsed Candidate Says on CNN That ‘President is Not Correct’ About Economy

Rep. John James (R-MI), who is running for governor in Michigan, flat-out said President Donald Trump “is not correct” about the economy “booming” as he highlighted just how poorly things are going in his state.

James joined CNN’s Dana Bash on Inside Politics on Friday where he pushed back on the president’s glowing description of the economy amid inflated costs on gas and more.

Bash brought up a recent Marist poll of Michigan residents that found 82% believe their personal financial situations have gotten worse or remained the same during Trump’s second term. Just 16% said their situations have improved.

“Now, I’m sure you’ve heard President Trump say the economy is booming and that we’re in a golden age. So who do you think is right, the president or 82% of the people in your state?” Bash asked.

James, who was endorsed by Trump in June, said the president is “not correct,” but also targeted Democrats in positions of power in his state, including his gubernatorial opponent, Jocelyn Benson, who currently serves as Michigan’s secretary of state.

James argued:

Well, the president is not correct. The economy in Michigan is not booming. In fact, Michigan is 42nd out of 50 in infrastructure. We’re 43rd out of 50 in economy. We’re 45 out of 50 in education. U.S. News and World Report has Michigan 46th overall. That means that 90% or 45 states are doing better than Michigan. And we all have the same president. We have Democrats led by Jocelyn Benson, who have been in charge for the past eight years and things are getting worse in the state of Michigan. I’m running to bring change.

Bash noted that James has a bill that would provide “low interest loans and tax credits” to combat financial hardships brought on by tariffs put in place against countries like Canada by the president.

“Doesn’t that, by definition, suggest that the president’s tariff wars, especially with the neighbor in Canada, are hurting people in Michigan?” Bash asked.

James again attacked Democrats:

What it suggests is that the Democrats in the state of Michigan are failing. Check this out. There are six other states that export a higher proportion of their goods to Canada. Five are run by Republican governors, and two are in the top five states overall, according to U.S. News and World report.

Democrats have been in power in Michigan for eight years, and we are doing worse than those states. I’m here to fix the problems, not just to fix the blame, which is why this bill, the Trade Act that established a tariff funded program to protect United States manufacturers, workers, farmers, supply chain from disproportionate economic harm resulting from tariffs and retaliatory measures. And this encourages domestic production because get this, Michigan has lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs since the year 2000, and many of those jobs went to Canada. Our country needs to push back on unfair trade practices, which I’ve said in private and in public to the administration… but Michigan cannot shoulder these burdens alone.

“So you’re totally fine with and you support is trade war that the president is waging against Canada. You think it’s right for Michigan?” Bash asked.

“What I have said in public and in private is that they need to be adults, and they need to put their egos in their back pockets and get back to the table to negotiate in the best interests of the United States of America,” James said.

Watch above via CNN.

Jason Cohen contributed to this report.

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