Trump’s Numbers, July 2026 Update

Our latest update in this series provides economic and other metrics of President Donald Trump’s second term so far.

• Job growth remains slower, with a total of 716,000 jobs created as of June. The unemployment rate remains slightly higher at 4.2%. 
• Inflation worsened to 3.5% in June, and gasoline prices have risen to more than $4 per gallon after a ceasefire with Iran dissolved. 
• Average weekly earnings of private-sector workers, adjusted for inflation, rose 1.3%.
• The economy grew 2.1% in the first quarter of 2026, matching the 2025 full-year growth.
• Consumer sentiment hit a new record low in May but has improved slightly since.
• Home prices have continued to creep up. The median sales price in June was 3.1% higher than two years ago.
• The number of apprehensions at the U.S. border with Mexico decreased about 91%, and refugee admissions have plummeted.
• There wasn’t much change in the percentage of the population lacking health insurance, as of 2025.
• The trade deficit for the most recent 12 months was down 17.8% compared with 2024.
• The number of murders and non-negligent manslaughters declined by 18.1%, according to preliminary FBI figures.
• The S&P 500 went up 23.6%.
• About 5.8 million fewer people are receiving federal food assistance.
• The public debt is up about 10.7%.

This is the second quarterly update in our “Numbers” series for Trump’s second term. Expect additional updates to be published every three months for the remainder of his presidency, as we did for his predecessors, starting with President Barack Obama in 2012.

These are just some of the many economic and social statistics that indicate how the U.S. is faring.

We present the numbers without commentary. Depending on the reader’s perspective, some may seem positive, negative, or neither. We also make no judgment on how much credit or blame the president should receive.

One Big Beautiful Bill Not (Yet) Driving ACA, Medicaid Declines

Multiple Democratic lawmakers have claimed that 8 million Americans have lost healthcare coverage as a result of the Trump-backed budget reconciliation bill that passed a year ago, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But experts told us the enrollment declines seen to date are largely due to other factors — including other Trump administration policies.

Enrollment in Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace has indeed declined by about 8 million since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. But most of the healthcare-related provisions of the OBBBA — which are eventually expected to cause millions of people to lose insurance — haven’t yet taken effect.

The decline in Affordable Care Act enrollment came after the expiration of more generous subsidies at the end of last year made premiums more expensive, leading many people to drop coverage. Democrats have sought to tie the expiration of those subsidies to other healthcare cuts in the OBBBA, but they were set to lapse whether or not that bill passed. 

It’s less clear why Medicaid enrollment has fallen, but experts told us confusion over the OBBBA, fear of Trump’s immigration crackdown, pressure on states to address purported fraud, state-level restrictions and other factors could all be playing some role.

“We’re seeing this before the direct effects of H.R. 1 are kicking in,” said Joan Alker, a research professor at Georgetown University and director of the school’s Center for Children and Families, referring to the bill number of the OBBBA. 

Ole Miss Men's Golf Earns GCAA All-Academic Team Honors After Historic SEC Championship Season

Rebels pair championship success with classroom excellence, posting a 3.2 GPA while Tom Fischer and Cohen Trolio earn All-America Scholar recognition.

NORMAN, Okla. — Ole Miss Men's Golf added another prestigious accolade to one of the most successful seasons in program history, earning 2025-26 Platform Golf All-Academic Team honors from the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).

The recognition, announced Wednesday, celebrates the Rebels' commitment to academic excellence after the team compiled a 3.2 cumulative grade point average during the 2025-26 academic year—comfortably exceeding the GCAA's minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for All-Academic Team distinction.

The honor underscores a season in which Ole Miss excelled both on the golf course and in the classroom, reinforcing the program's reputation for developing championship-caliber student-athletes.

Excellence in the Classroom

Senior standouts Tom Fischer and Cohen Trolio spearheaded the Rebels' academic achievement.

Both student-athletes maintained GPAs well above the qualifying threshold and were recognized as 2025-26 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars, one of the nation's highest academic honors for collegiate golfers.

The award recognizes student-athletes who combine outstanding academic performance with success in collegiate competition, highlighting Ole Miss' ability to cultivate excellence in every aspect of the student-athlete experience.

Historic Season on the Links

The academic honor follows a breakthrough campaign that will be remembered as one of the finest in Ole Miss golf history.

The Rebels captured the 2025 SEC Men's Golf Championship, marking:

• The program's second SEC Championship
• Its first conference title since 1984
• One of the most successful seasons in school history

Ole Miss consistently ranked among the nation's elite throughout the year, recording 11 top-five tournament finishes while demonstrating remarkable consistency against some of college golf's toughest competition.

Tennessee Volleyball Legend April Chapple Dies at 62, Leaving an Enduring Legacy on Rocky Top

Hall of Famer, All-American and Lady Vols pioneer helped build Tennessee into an SEC powerhouse before excelling in professional volleyball and coaching.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee volleyball family is mourning the loss of one of the program's greatest pioneers. Former Lady Vol standout, All-American and Tennessee Athletics Hall of Famer April Chapple has passed away at the age of 62, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape Tennessee volleyball into one of the Southeastern Conference's premier programs.

A dynamic outside hitter whose impact extended well beyond the stat sheet, Chapple starred for the Lady Vols from 1981 through 1984, helping elevate Tennessee onto both the conference and national stages during one of the most transformative eras in program history.

A Foundation Built on Championships

A native of Inglewood, California, Chapple played a pivotal role in one of Tennessee's most successful stretches, guiding the Lady Vols to:

• 
  Three SEC Regular-Season Championships
• Three SEC Tournament Championships
• Four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances
• A 121-50 overall record during her collegiate career

Her leadership helped Tennessee earn the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in 1982, a five-set triumph over Northwestern that marked a defining milestone in Lady Vol volleyball history.

Tennessee Volleyball Lands Eight National TV Appearances for 2026 as Lady Vols Eye SEC Championship Push

ESPN2, SEC Network and Big Ten Network will showcase Tennessee in marquee matchups against Indiana, Pitt, Penn State, Texas, Kentucky and more as an experienced roster and elite transfer class fuel championship expectations.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. | Tennessee volleyball will receive one of its largest national television showcases in recent program history after ESPN, SEC Network and the Big Ten Network announced eight nationally televised matches for the Lady Vols during the 2026 season.

The expanded television slate reflects Tennessee's growing stature as a contender in one of college volleyball's deepest conferences. Featuring nationally ranked opponents, rivalry matchups and premier non-conference contests, the Lady Vols will have multiple opportunities to showcase their talent before a national audience.

The 2026 television schedule begins Sept. 6 when Tennessee hosts Indiana during the popular Broadway Block Party, a matchup scheduled to air on ESPN2. Just three days later, the Lady Vols travel to Kissimmee, Florida, for a highly anticipated neutral-site showdown against perennial national power Pitt in the SEC/ACC Challenge, also televised on ESPN2.

Tennessee returns to ESPN2 later in the season with a critical Southeastern Conference road contest at Missouri on Nov. 1.

The SEC Network will carry four additional Lady Vols matches, beginning with Tennessee's home meeting against Illinois in the inaugural SEC/Big Ten Challenge. Additional conference home contests against defending national powers Texas (Sept. 25), Kentucky (Oct. 21) and in-state rival Vanderbilt (Oct. 25) will also receive national television coverage.

Adding another nationally televised opportunity, Tennessee's Sept. 20 road trip to Penn State will air on the Big Ten Network, giving the Lady Vols exposure across three major television platforms throughout the season.

Oklahoma Women's Golf Unveils 2026-27 Schedule Featuring SEC Title Chase, National TV Showcase, and Championship Aspirations

Sooners announce 10-tournament regular season highlighted by two home-hosted events, Golf Channel appearance, SEC Championship, and NCAA title pursuit

NORMAN, Okla. | Oklahoma Women's Golf has officially unveiled its 2026-27 schedule, setting the stage for another championship pursuit under head coach Veronique Drouin-Luttrell. The Sooners will compete in 10 regular-season tournaments, including two events hosted by Oklahoma, before beginning postseason play in the Southeastern Conference and NCAA Championships.

The schedule blends nationally recognized tournaments, elite competition, and championship-caliber venues, providing Oklahoma with multiple opportunities to strengthen its NCAA résumé while preparing for another run at conference and national titles.

Season Opens in Texas

Oklahoma begins the fall campaign September 8-9 at The Bruzzy, held at Trophy Club Country Club in Dallas.

The Sooners return to the tournament after previously finishing tied for fifth when the event was contested in the spring of 2024, giving Oklahoma an early measuring stick against a competitive national field.