“When the economy crashes, when the country goes to total hell, and everything is a disaster, then you’ll have riots to go back to where we used to be when we were great”
Donald Trump 2014
In a February 2014 interview on Fox & Friends, Donald Trump made striking comments about the U.S. economy, warning that an economic collapse could be inevitable and even suggesting that such a downturn might restore America’s former greatness. At the time, the economy was recovering from the 2008 financial crisis, but Trump expressed skepticism about its strength and stability. His remarks reflected a broader narrative he often promoted—that America had lost its greatness and needed drastic change to reclaim it.
One of Trump’s most controversial statements in the interview was his assertion that economic collapse could lead to riots, which in turn might push the country back to what he viewed as its “great” past. “When the economy crashes, when the country goes to total hell, and everything is a disaster, then you’ll have riots to go back to where we used to be when we were great,” he stated. This comment suggested that Trump believed widespread social unrest could serve as a catalyst for positive change, a view that alarmed many observers at the time.
Trump’s remarks reflected his broader perspective on economic policy, which he would later emphasize during his 2016 presidential campaign. He often criticized economic policies he viewed as weak, including government intervention and regulatory measures. In the 2014 interview, he pointed to high unemployment rates, declining manufacturing jobs, and government spending as indicators that the U.S. economy was on the verge of collapse. Though economic data at the time showed gradual recovery, Trump dismissed these trends as misleading or unsustainable.
Beyond the economy, Trump also discussed U.S.-Russia relations, particularly his interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He referenced his experiences hosting the 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow, where he claimed to have met Putin. “I do have a relationship with him,” Trump said, although later accounts disputed the extent of their interactions. He suggested that the Obama administration was weak in its handling of Russia and that he could negotiate more effectively with Putin.
At the time of the interview, tensions between the U.S. and Russia were rising due to the crisis in Ukraine. In February 2014, protests in Ukraine led to the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, and Russia was preparing to annex Crimea. Trump’s comments on Russia did not focus on these developments but instead emphasized his belief that strong leadership and business acumen were key to dealing with foreign adversaries.
Trump also criticized President Obama’s handling of Russia, claiming that Putin had “eaten his lunch” in negotiations. He argued that the U.S. was losing influence on the world stage because of weak leadership. This critique was consistent with Trump’s broader foreign policy views, which prioritized toughness and deal-making over traditional diplomacy. His remarks foreshadowed the emphasis he would later place on improving relations with Russia during his presidential campaign.
The interview also provided early insight into Trump’s admiration for authoritarian-leaning leaders. He frequently spoke about strength and decisiveness as key leadership traits, often contrasting them with what he saw as the inefficiency and weakness of democratic governance. His comments about riots and economic collapse suggested a belief that disruption and upheaval could lead to necessary political and economic transformation.
Trump’s economic predictions did not come to pass in the immediate years following the interview. The U.S. economy continued to recover, and by the time he launched his presidential campaign in 2015, economic indicators such as job growth and stock market performance were improving. However, he continued to frame the economy as being in dire straits, arguing that only his leadership could restore American prosperity.
His comments on Russia also became more significant in hindsight, especially given the scrutiny of his ties to Russian officials during the 2016 election. While his 2014 remarks suggested a business-oriented approach to foreign policy, later investigations raised questions about the extent of Russian interference in U.S. politics and Trump’s potential connections to Moscow. His claim of having a relationship with Putin, which he later walked back, became a point of controversy throughout his presidency.
Trump’s 2014 Fox & Friends interview remains a revealing moment in his political evolution. His statements on economic collapse and riots showcased his unconventional and often provocative worldview, while his remarks on Russia hinted at future controversies. As with many of his early interviews, this appearance demonstrated his ability to command media attention with bold and sometimes alarming predictions—an approach that would ultimately propel him to the presidency.
