Trump Highlights Economic Achievements at Kentucky Rally
During a rally in Highland Heights, Kentucky, President Donald Trump celebrated the achievements of his administration, particularly emphasizing the significant rise in American exports in 2026.
Addressing the crowd on Saturday, Trump spotlighted the impact of his tariffs, showcasing the uptick in domestic manufacturing and record export figures just under two years into his second term.
“But exports…they soared to the highest level in American history,” Trump proclaimed.
As stated in an October report from the Council of Economic Advisers, U.S. goods exports reached a historic monthly high of $220 billion in April 2026. Total exports peaked at $329.89 billion that same month. The council also noted a surge in factory construction during Trump’s second term.
“The manufacturing resurgence we are witnessing reinforces America’s dominance as a global leader, but also has positive impacts on the labor sector as we see more American jobs, increased wages, and company expansions that stimulate Main Street local economies and communities nationwide,” the council remarked.
At his sixth rally of the week—and after surpassing a thousand rallies overall—Trump credited his tariffs for boosting manufacturing.
“Just so you know, there’s no tariff to pay if they come in and build their plant in Kentucky or any one of our states. There’s no tariff, it’s very simple,” he explained.
Trump also pointed out the strong employment figures during his presidency, asserting that these statistics were achieved despite significant federal layoffs.
“We have employment numbers that are the greatest in history, but that’s not making America great again,” Trump noted. “What’s making America great again is the private sector. And we need, absolutely, federal people, but we don’t need 10 for every job. So, I let over a million go, and these numbers are phenomenal despite that.”
As he approaches the crucial November elections, Trump has been campaigning nationwide for GOP candidates. In Kentucky, he urged voters to support Republican Senate candidate Andy Barr and House candidate Ed Gallrein, who had recently defeated incumbent Thomas Massie in the primaries.
Trump took time during his speech to criticize the “radical left Democrats,” calling out Barr’s Democratic opponent, Charles Booker, and referencing alleged previous remarks by Booker about defunding the police.
“When asked if he wants to defund the police, Charles Booker responded, ‘Now is the time to do it.’ Can you believe it?” Trump said. “He said that a year ago, but one thing I learned in politics: When they say it, that’s where they end up. They change for an election, but they end up going back.”
With numerous rallies planned for the upcoming days, Trump is set to make stops in several states, including Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan, showcasing the significance he places on the forthcoming elections.
“This is the most important midterm in the history of our country. Because we’ve gotten more things done, and they can undo them if we start losing an election, especially this one,” he stated. “So, pretend I’m on the ballot. Go out and vote.”
