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The deficit was increasing from 2017, long before covid.

No, not because covid. Obama's second term decreased the amount of deficit added each year. Since then (excluding drop after 2020/2021) the amount has trended upward every year.

I guess you could say less deficit was added during Trump's first term (excluding covid), than in Obama or Biden's first terms. Not sure that tells us anything useful though.

There hasn't been an actual deficit decrease since 2001 though.

https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/americas-finance-guide/natio...

so.. how does this make things better long term if you just said neither side fixes anything?

So decreasing the increase of the problem is considered progress? No.