United States on a roll? Trump praises the 4.3% increase in GDP in the “great” US economy and promises greater gains in the future. Build wealth in 2026
United States on a roll? Trump praises the 4.3% increase in GDP in the “great” US economy and promises greater gains in the future. Build wealth in 2026
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After nearly two months of delay caused by the government shutdown, U.S. GDP data has finally been released, and President Donald Trump points to the surprising result as proof that his economic agenda is working.
“TARIFFS are responsible for the BIG US economic numbers JUST ANNOUNCED,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social (1).
US GDP grew at an annual rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ initial estimate (2), the fastest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2023. The figure also comfortably exceeded economists’ expectations for a 3.2% increase (3).
The BEA said the expansion was driven by “increases in consumer spending, exports and government spending that were partially offset by a decline in investment.” He also noted that “imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, decreased.”
Tariffs can play a role in that dynamic by discouraging imports and reshaping trade flows. In the third quarter, a smaller trade deficit allowed net exports to add 1.59 percentage points to overall GDP growth (2).
Looking ahead, Trump predicts even bigger profits, saying the numbers “WILL ONLY GET BETTER!”
Some economists see additional tailwinds that could help sustain the momentum. Michael Pearce, chief US economist at Oxford Economics, highlighted reduced uncertainty, fiscal support and more accommodative monetary policy.
“We expect the decline in political uncertainty, the boost from tax cuts and the recent easing of monetary policy to mean the economy strengthens in 2026,” Pearce (4) said.
The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate three times in 2025, and economists forecast additional reductions in 2026 (5). By reducing borrowing costs, rate cuts can encourage consumer spending and business investment, helping to support broader economic growth.
If you share this optimism, here’s a look at some simple ways to position yourself for U.S. growth in 2026 and beyond.
The American stock market has been a powerful engine of wealth creation. Trump has pointed to that strength, recently saying that “the only thing that’s really going up strongly? Is the stock market and your 401(k) plans (6).”
The benchmark S&P 500 index returned 16% in 2025 and has gained approximately 83% over the past five years.
Of course, it’s not easy to consistently pick winning stocks. That’s why legendary investor Warren Buffett argues that most people don’t need to pick individual companies to benefit from the long-term growth of the stock market.
“In my opinion, for most people, the best thing they can do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” Buffett said. This approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across a wide range of industries, providing instant diversification without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.
The beauty of this approach is its accessibility: anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests leftover change.
Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150 billion fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)
Signing up for Acorns takes just a few minutes: Link your cards and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference (your extra change) into a diversified portfolio.
With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5, and if you sign up today with a monthly deposit, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you get started on your investing journey.
Beyond stocks, real estate has long been another cornerstone of wealth creation in America.
In fact, Buffett often points to real estate when explaining how it is a productive, income-generating asset. In 2022, Buffett stated that if he was offered “1% of all the apartment buildings in the country” for $25 billion, “I would write you a check (7).”
Because? Because regardless of what’s happening in the broader economy, people still need a place to live and apartments can consistently generate rental money.
Real estate also offers a built-in protection against inflation. When inflation rises, property values often rise as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to increase, providing landlords with an income stream that adjusts with inflation.
Of course, you don’t need $25 billion (or even buying a single property outright) to invest in real estate. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to gain exposure to this income-generating asset class.
Backed by world-class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived lets you invest in rental home stocks with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing the lawn, fixing leaky faucets, or dealing with difficult tenants.
The process is simple: browse a select selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you would like to purchase and then sit back as you begin receiving positive rental income distributions from your investment.
Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through supermarket-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of ownership.
With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a portion of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net Leases (NNN), accredited investors can invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs reducing their potential returns.
Simply answer a few questions, including how much you would like to invest, to start exploring the full list of available properties.
Public markets show only one side of how wealth is created. Many of the largest and most successful technology companies remain privately held for years, growing behind the scenes and generating incredible value long before the IPO bell rings.
Venture capital is where the first bets are made on the giants of the future. But for decades, venture capital has been one of the few remaining tables in finance where retail investors can’t get a seat.
Fundrise finally disrupted that dynamic a few years ago by launching a venture capital product with two goals. The first is to create a portfolio of the world’s most valuable private technology companies. The second is to make it available to as many people as possible, with investments starting at just $10.
Today, Fundrise manages billions of dollars in private market assets and its venture capital product is designed specifically for investors like you who want to get an early start on transformative technologies like AI.
View your portfolio companies today and start investing in minutes.
After all, everyone’s financial situation is different—from income levels and investment goals to debt obligations and risk tolerance. If you’re not sure where to start, now might be the right time to contact a financial advisor.
With Vanguard, you can connect with a personal advisor who can help you evaluate your performance so far and ensure you have the right portfolio to reach your goals on time.
Vanguard’s hybrid advisory system combines advice from professional advisors and automated portfolio management to ensure your investments work to achieve your financial goals.
All you have to do is fill out a short questionnaire about your financial goals and Vanguard advisors will help you establish a personalized plan and even help you stick to it.
Once you’re ready, you can sit back while Vanguard advisors manage your portfolio. As they are fiduciaries, they do not earn commissions, so you can trust that the advice you receive will be unbiased.
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