Unemployment is at a low rate, inflation is minimal, and economic growth has been consistent for almost a decade. As a professor, I often evaluate things with letter grades, and I would give the US economy an A-, although it could have received a better grade if economic gains were more evenly distributed. However, it is important to note that Trump influences economic policy, not the economy itself, so it is necessary to also consider his actual policies when evaluating the economy. To provide an unbiased assessment, I have looked at surveys conducted by the University of Chicago which include responses from approximately 50 prominent economists with varying political views. Surprisingly, these economists overwhelmingly agree that Trump's policies are harmful. This is why many economists have concerns about his presidency, despite the economy performing well. Trump's protectionist trade policies are not in line with the belief that tariffs are harmful to the economy. By imposing tariffs on products like aluminium and steel, Trump has hurt the competitiveness of US manufacturers. Economists do not believe that these tariffs will benefit Americans, and they argue that global supply chains have made these tariffs more expensive than in the past. The US initiated a trade war with China, leading to retaliatory tariffs on American goods. Trump's threat to end the North American Free Trade Agreement caused unnecessary uncertainty and resulted in a new deal that many believe will have little impact. Trump's protectionist policies have been widely criticized, with his own Council of Economic Advisers predicting that his tariffs will harm economic growth. Even using Trump's own preferred measure of success, the trade balance, his policy has not been successful as the trade deficit has reached a 10-year high. In terms of fiscal policy, the idea is that the government should spend less during good times so that it can spend more and tax less during bad times to support the economy. Trump's fiscal policy has been a failure, with his main accomplishment being a $1.5 trillion tax cut that provided stimulus at a time when it was arguably unnecessary. Consequently, the budget deficit is unusually high for a strong economy, and increasing government debt will hinder fiscal policy's ability to stimulate the economy during the next recession. Trump's argument for the tax cut was not to provide immediate economic growth but rather to foster long-term growth. However, economists believe it will not achieve that goal either. A survey conducted before the bill was passed showed that almost all experts agreed that the tax cut would not significantly increase gross domestic product in the next decade. Darrell Duffie was the only dissenter, stating that the tax plan would boost growth, but there are concerns about its fairness. Acemoglu, a well-known macroeconomist, pointed out that while simplifying the tax code could be beneficial, its regressive nature could outweigh any positive effects. Recent data confirms this skepticism, as the promised investment boom from the tax cut has not materialized. It is important to note that despite bipartisan support, Trump's infrastructure spending plan has not made progress. Monetary policy should be straightforward for a president: appoint competent individuals and allow the Federal Reserve to carry out its duties. President Trump has made a good choice in selecting Jerome Powell as Fed chairman, as he has shown skill in the position. A recent survey revealed that 43 percent of economists rated Powell's leadership as an A, while 51 percent gave him a B, with the remaining 6 percent giving him a C. Trump's other appointments to the Fed have been conventional, resulting in a group of policymakers that Jeb Bush might have chosen if he had been elected president. Trump has negatively impacted his rating in this area by interfering in ways that have unnecessarily complicated the Federal Reserve's job. Most developed countries, including the United States, typically keep monetary policy separate from political influence to ensure low and stable inflation. However, Trump has criticized Powell for not lowering interest rates and has even mentioned the idea of firing him. This behavior is counterproductive as it makes it difficult for Powell to lower rates without seeming like he is being pressured by Trump. Trump is going against economic consensus on multiple fronts. His program is a rejection of the beliefs held by economists from both the Democratic and Republican parties. The economy's current success despite these unconventional policies raises the question of whether it is due to luck rather than wise decision-making. Trump was fortunate to inherit an economy that had been steadily improving since around 2010, and most economic indicators show that today's strength is simply a continuation of that trend. Even if Trump may not be responsible for the positive trajectory of the economy, he should be acknowledged for not derailing it. It is possible that the president's impact on economic outcomes is minimal. A more concerning possibility is that the negative effects of Trump's policies have not yet been realized. The uncertainty caused by the chaotic policy process of his administration may have deterred investors, although this impact is hard to quantify. Furthermore, Trump's tax cuts without proper funding are leading to a debt that will need to be repaid by future generations. By interfering with the Federal Reserve's autonomy, he may have decreased its ability to combat inflation. Additionally, easing regulations in the financial industry may benefit large banks currently, but could raise the risk of future economic crises. Removing environmental regulations may have boosted profits for certain companies, but has accelerated climate change. Although restricting immigration may have lessened job competition in the short term, many experts fear that it could stifle innovation and economic growth in the long run. It is also possible that Trump's approach is correct, and economists have misjudged the situation. As someone who is a certified economist, I personally do not agree with this belief, but it appears that Trump also does not trust the opinions of economists. This information was reported by the New York Times News Service in 2019.