The Political Page, T+212 -- August 20, 2017 -- GDP Growth -- Making America Great

It's been my impression that actual results don't always meet forecasts when it comes to forecasting quarterly US GDP, but here it is for what it's worth.
From a reader:

The Atlanta Fed estimated US 3Q17 GDP growing at 4.0 percent -- from Reuters. 

This is hard to believe. Remember all these headlines?
 
--- BUSINESS INSIDER: The clearest part of Trump's economic plan is also the most delusional part.

Three percent GDP growth. Three percent GDP growth. Three percent GDP growth.

Get it stamped on your brain. Get it tattooed somewhere. Have some T-shirts made, because this is team Trump's goal for the economy. In a time of extreme policy confusion, 3% GDP growth is one of the only firm targets we have to hang onto.

The problem is that in interview after interview, Donald Trump and his surrogates have demonstrated that they have no idea how to get there.

--- CNBC: Trump needs GDP growth, but one of his favorite policies works directly against him

 
--- THE HILL: Why is Trump's 3-percent growth target pure folly? Because math. ---

--- VOX. Trump: I will achieve 3 percent growth! CBO: No, you will not. ---

By the way, something that is not being talked about very much: most agree that the way economists measure GDP is no longer valid. It completely misses productivity gains because of technology. Most pundits agree that GDP growth would be significantly higher if measured "properly."

With all the anti-Trumpers out there, it's a given that the way GDP is measured will not be changed during the Trump administration. This, by the way, works in the favor of investors vs savers.