Fox Claimed Economy Has Had “Negative Growth” Since 2009

Fox Graphic: “Negative Growth In Economy Since 2009.” During the November 5 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, an on-screen graphic stated: “The President's 'Growing' Economy: Negative Growth In Economy Since 2009”:

Fox's Deroy Murdock: “The Only Growing We're Doing Is Growing In Areas Where We Shouldn't Be Growing.” Appearing on Fox & Friends, columnist and Fox contributor Deroy Murdock said that Obama “was handed a mess by big spending G. W. Bush and unfortunately just made it worse by spending lots more money -- Obamacare, stimulus, and all these other things. And it would be bad enough if we'd spent all that money but at least we were growing at the moment. But the only growing we're doing is growing in areas where we shouldn't be growing.” [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 11/5/12]

Reality: Economy, Private-Sector Jobs Are Up Under Obama  

Bureau Of Economic Analysis: GDP Up 7.1 Percent, $905.2 Billion During Obama Administration; Consistent Positive Growth Every Quarter For Over Three Years. According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in the first quarter of 2009, gross domestic product (GDP), adjusted for inflation, was approximately $12.71 trillion. The next quarter it fell to $12.7 trillion and has since risen for thirteen consecutive quarters. Since the first quarter of 2009, GDP has increased by $905.2 billion, or 7.1 percent. The following chart shows the growth in real GDP during the president's term in office:

[BEA via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, accessed 11/5/12]

Bureau Of Labor Statistics: Private-Sector Jobs Up 759,000 Since Obama Took Office, 3.8 Million Since Recession Ended; Growing For 32 Consecutive Months. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), when Obama took office, there were approximately 110,985,000 Americans employed in the private sector. When the recession officially ended in June 2009, there were 107,933,000 Americans employed in the private sector. Since bottoming in February 2010, private-sector payrolls have increased for 32 consecutive months by nearly 5 million jobs. Since the recession ended in June 2009, the economy has added roughly 3.8 million jobs. The following chart shows the history of private-sector jobs under Obama:

[BLS via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, accessed 11/5/12]