MS NOW calls Trump GDP report ‘great’ — Al Sharpton supplies the reaction shot

THE DAILY BS: HOW MUCH CAN YOU HANDLE?

SPARE ME THE BS (I’ve got things to do).

The economy grew at a 3.4% annualized rate in the third quarter, accelerating from 2.2% in the second quarter.
An MS NOW panelist called the result great and really strong. A circulating clip also drew attention to Al Sharpton’s distinctly uncelebratory expression.
Consumer spending rose 3.8%, while business investment benefited from the artificial-intelligence buildout.

LAY IT ON ME (I’ve got time).

The economy delivered an inconvenient programming development Thursday morning: good news that even an MS NOW panel described enthusiastically.

“It’s great — 3.4%. That is a great number, really strong,” a panelist said as the latest gross domestic product figures arrived.

Al Sharpton, seated nearby in a green suit, supplied the reaction shot that conservative social media immediately wanted to replay with his unsmiling appearance alongside the upbeat assessment.

The economy is growing faster than expected under President Trump and Republicans.

MS NOW: “The new GDP numbers just crossed.”

“It’s great — 3.4%. That is a great number, really strong.” https://t.co/FwIS9S2Nga

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 29, 2026

The facial expressions are entertaining. The underlying numbers are more consequential.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that inflation-adjusted GDP expanded at a 3.4% annualized rate during July, August and September. That was an acceleration from the second quarter’s 2.2% pace, arriving just five days before the November 3 midterm elections.

Consumer spending increased 3.8%, according to the Associated Press. Business investment excluding housing rose 12.7%, with artificial-intelligence infrastructure helping drive demand for equipment.

The BEA also reported that consumer spending combined with private fixed investment grew at a 4.9% annualized rate, up from 4.6% in the previous quarter. That measure focuses on demand from households and businesses.

JUST IN: The U.S. economy is growing rapidly.
GDP Growth in the 3rd quarter came in at a hot 3.4%. That was even better than expected.

What’s driving this?
1) The big AI investment. There was another huge surge in business investment (+12.7%!)
2) Consumer spending also robust. +3.8% in Q3. That’s the same as Q2 and the strongest since the end of 2024.

Not everyone is feeling the benefits of this growth uptick. But anything related to AI is soaring.

— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong) October 29, 2026

In plain English: Americans kept spending, companies kept investing, and the economy picked up speed.

Housing remained a weak spot, with residential investment declining, according to the AP. The overall report nevertheless delivered a stronger growth headline at precisely the moment campaigns are making their final arguments about economic management.

For President Donald Trump and Republicans, the timing provides a useful closing argument. For commentators invested in a relentlessly bleak account of the economy, it requires a little flexibility in the morning’s presentation.

To the panelist’s credit, the immediate description was straightforward: a strong number. Sometimes the economic report arrives before anyone has finished preparing the preferred explanation.

Sharpton’s reaction may win the replay contest. The figure voters will hear is 3.4%.