So here's the thing about politics and economics: everyone gets to pick their own numbers. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) decided to pick the ones that make President Donald Trump look like an economic genius. In a video clip posted on X ahead of Trump's joint address to Congress, Johnson framed the president's first year back in office as nothing short of revolutionary.

"As President Trump prepares to address the nation on a historic, transformational, and VERY successful year, the results speak for themselves," Johnson wrote. In the video, he laid out the case: "Inflation's down, wages are up, investment is booming, the GDP is exceeding every expectation." It was the classic political victory lap—promises made, promises kept, with a side of macroeconomic triumph.

But Johnson wasn't just there to hand out gold stars. He also took a swing at Democrats who were planning counter-events instead of showing up for the speech. "It doesn't matter how many little gatherings they have," he said. "They have nothing to offer, nothing but their TDS agenda." He called the boycott "shameful," arguing that lawmakers have a duty to represent their constituents during major national events. For good measure, he tossed in Republican priorities like border enforcement, deportations, and restoring "peace through strength." You know, the usual playlist.

Meanwhile, across the aisle, Democrats were busy writing a very different review of Trump's economic performance. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) took to X with a simple, pointed question. Noting it was "Day 401" of Trump's presidency, he asked: "Is your life more affordable?" It was a direct challenge to Trump's pledge to lower costs—a way of saying the macroeconomic stats might look good on paper, but what about the grocery bill?

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was even more blunt. Rejecting Trump's characterization of a "golden age," she argued, "Grocery prices are up. Rent is up. Utility costs are up. Health care costs are up." Her message was clear: if this is a golden age, it's one where the gold isn't trickling down to regular people.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) took a different angle, disputing Trump's claim that the economy is "roaring." He pointed out that workers are receiving a historically small share of profits while CEO pay soars, and he criticized policies he said delivered "a $1 TRILLION tax cut to the 1%." In his view, the system isn't just uneven—it's rigged.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) went for the headline-ready quote, stating, "Facts are facts: his economy SUCKS!" and framing Trump's upcoming speech as pure political spin. And earlier this month, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) offered a more theatrical rebuttal, mocking Trump's assertion that the economy is the "greatest in the history of the world" with a weary, "God help us."

So what's really going on here? It's the oldest story in politics: two sides looking at the same economy and seeing completely different pictures. Johnson sees lower inflation and rising GDP; Democrats see higher grocery prices and stagnant wages for working families. One side talks about investment booming; the other talks about wealth concentrating at the top. It's not even that they're disagreeing on the facts—they're disagreeing on which facts matter.

This isn't just a policy debate; it's the opening salvo in what promises to be a brutally contentious election season. Johnson's praise sets up Trump as the economic savior, while the Democratic pushback paints him as out of touch with everyday struggles. The truth, as always, probably lies somewhere in the messy middle—but in an election year, nobody gets points for nuance. Both sides are picking their narratives and sticking to them, because in politics, the story you tell about the economy is often more powerful than the spreadsheets behind it.