Trump Second Administration's 100-Day Press Conference: "Ushering in a New Golden Age for America"

Treasury Secretary Scott Besant responds to reporters' questions.

On April 29, 2025, the second administration of President Donald J. Trump marked its 100th day in office with a grand showcase of achievements at the White House. The press conference, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, unfolded under the banner of a “historic fulfillment of promises.” Positioning himself as America’s “chief executive,” Trump advanced an ambitious agenda of job creation, price stabilization, regulatory reform, global investment attraction, trade renegotiation, and tax relief to revitalize the U.S. economy. The White House proclaimed that “President Trump’s leadership ushered in a new golden age for America,” exuding strong confidence.

Trump pledged from his first day to “resolve Biden’s inflation crisis, lower living costs, and make America the global hub for business and innovation.” The White House declared that this promise quickly materialized. The administration created 345,000 jobs within its first 100 days, injecting vitality into the economy. Notably, 9,000 of these jobs were in manufacturing, a stark contrast to the average monthly loss of 6,000 manufacturing jobs during the final two years of the Biden administration. The March 2025 employment report surpassed economists’ forecasts by 100,000 jobs, marking the fourth-highest month for private-sector job growth in the past two years. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) confirmed that the service sector, alongside semiconductor and automotive manufacturing, drove this growth. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.0%, near the 50-year low of 3.5% recorded in 2019, providing workers with stable employment and a hopeful future. The White House emphasized that “President Trump revived the American dream through job creation.”

To alleviate household financial burdens, the Trump administration prioritized price stabilization. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March 2025 recorded its first decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, signaling a turning point in overcoming the high inflation of the Biden era. Everyday goods such as airfares, used vehicles, and prescription drugs became more affordable, with prescription drugs posting their largest monthly price drop on record, significantly reducing healthcare costs. Wholesale egg prices plummeted by over 50% since Inauguration Day, easing grocery budgets. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) attributed this drop to Trump’s swift response to the avian flu crisis and supply chain stabilization efforts. In the energy sector, gasoline prices fell by 7%, and overall energy prices, including electricity and natural gas, stabilized. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) credited global oil supply increases and Trump’s energy policies for this relief. Real average hourly wages rose 1.2% year-over-year in March 2025, boosting household purchasing power and enabling Americans to live more comfortably.

Energy independence was a cornerstone of Trump’s agenda. He vowed to “end Biden’s reckless energy policies and restore America’s energy dominance.” The Department of the Interior announced a new offshore drilling policy in March 2025, increasing oil production in the Gulf of Mexico by 100,000 barrels per day, expanding energy supply. This led to lower gasoline and electricity prices, reducing energy costs for households and businesses. The White House highlighted that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and his team worked tirelessly toward this goal, stating, “Energy independence fueled economic growth.”

Regulatory reform was a central pillar of Trump’s economic strategy. Describing small businesses as “the heart of the American economy,” he aggressively rolled back unnecessary regulations to ease burdens on businesses and households. The White House projected savings of $935 billion over the next decade, equivalent to approximately $11,000 per household. Immediately upon taking office, Trump issued an executive order halting all unfinalized Biden-era regulations, expected to save $100 billion, or $2,100 per family of four, over 10 years. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) relaxed tailpipe emission standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles, and the Department of Transportation adjusted Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, collectively projected to save $755 billion, or $8,800 per family of four. The White House underscored that these measures “unleashed America’s innovative potential.”

On the global stage, Trump positioned himself as “America’s chief executive,” securing massive investments. The White House announced that it attracted over $5 trillion in investment commitments within its first 100 days. Apple pledged $500 billion for domestic manufacturing and education, Nvidia committed $500 billion to AI infrastructure, TSMC allocated $100 billion for U.S. semiconductor plants, and OpenAI, Oracle, and Bank collectively invested $500 billion in AI development. These investments were expected to create at least 451,000 high-wage jobs. The White House boasted, “In just 100 days, Trump surpassed Biden’s four-year investment record.”

Trade policy was a defining feature of Trump’s second term. Vowing to “end unfair trade practices,” he pursued a bold tariff strategy. The White House claimed that over 100 countries engaged in negotiations for more favorable trade terms. On February 1, 2025, high tariffs were imposed on China, Canada, and Mexico, followed by reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% on 57 countries on April 2. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant emphasized that “tariffs revitalized American manufacturing and funded tax relief.” He noted that the administration negotiated with 18 key trade partners, with talks planned with at least 17, excluding China, in the coming weeks. India, Japan, and South Korea were particularly proactive. Vice President J.D. Vance advanced discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a visit, and Treasury Secretary Scott Besant highlighted that India’s high tariff rates (17.6% on average, per WTO 2024) facilitated negotiations. South Korea and Japan, facing elections in July 2025, hastened talks.

On April 29, Trump signed an executive order easing automobile tariffs, encouraging domestic production by U.S. and foreign manufacturers. The White House described this as a move to “bring high-quality manufacturing jobs to America and bolster national security.” Regarding China, Treasury Secretary Scott Besant asserted that U.S. tariffs could lead to 5 to 10 million job losses in China, arguing that Beijing’s trade surplus made its position untenable. He declined to confirm direct talks with Chinese officials, maintaining “strategic ambiguity” and humorously sidestepping a question about whether Trump spoke with President Xi Jinping by saying, “I don’t run the switchboard.” Treasury Secretary Scott Besant explained that Trump employed “strategic uncertainty” to secure optimal trade deals, prioritizing fair agreements for American workers over immediate market stability.

Tax relief was a flagship commitment. Trump promised “the largest tax cuts in U.S. history,” planning to make the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent while introducing exemptions for tips, overtime pay, Social Security benefits, and interest deductions for American-made vehicles. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant indicated that tariff revenues could finance these cuts, stating, “Trump’s vision alleviated middle-class burdens.” Immediate expensing for equipment and factory construction, retroactive to January 20, 2025, was expected to spur corporate investment. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant collaborated with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to advance the “Big One” legislation, encompassing tax cuts, border security, military enhancements, and deregulation.

Trump demonstrated assertive global leadership. He hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House and maintained ongoing dialogue with European Union leaders to maximize U.S. interests. EU negotiations were complicated by France and Italy’s digital services taxes, which Treasury Secretary Scott Besant called “unfair barriers to American tech firms,” noting that Germany and Poland’s lack of such taxes eased discussions. The White House emphasized that “Trump strengthened America’s global stature through international collaboration.”

Public confidence bolstered Trump’s economic vision. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant cited Vanguard data, stating that “97% of individual investors refrained from trading over the past 100 days, reflecting unwavering trust in Trump.” While institutional investors faced market volatility, individual investors remained steadfast. The White House sharply criticized Amazon’s plan to display tariff-related costs alongside product prices. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt labeled it a “political and hostile act,” accusing Amazon of silence during “Biden’s 40-year-high inflation” while attacking Trump’s policies. White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt revealed that Trump personally responded by phone immediately after Amazon’s announcement, raising concerns about its alleged ties to Chinese propaganda entities. She urged Americans to “buy American and strengthen domestic supply chains,” reinforcing the administration’s commitment to manufacturing and consumer sovereignty.

The press conference also highlighted legislative and social achievements. The bipartisan Take It Down Act, championed by First Lady Melania Trump, passed the House on April 28, criminalizing the posting of non-consensual intimate imagery and mandating its removal from online platforms within 48 hours of a victim’s request. The White House praised Melania Trump’s dedication, confirming Trump’s readiness to sign the bill.

White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt declared, “The best is yet to come,” vowing that tax cuts, trade agreements, and economic progress would position America as the epicenter of global commerce. At a Michigan rally on April 29, Trump told supporters, “Our journey has just begun.” With a vision of low taxes, robust manufacturing, energy independence, and fair trade, Trump’s leadership propelled America toward a new era. The first 100 days, marked by 345,000 jobs, $935 billion in regulatory savings, $5 trillion in investments, and negotiations with over 100 countries, demonstrated that his promises took root in reality.