The U.S. economy added 312, 000 new jobs in December, far above what the experts predicted. The unemployment rate remains at 3.9 percent, or virtual full employment. But watch out as danger is looming in the shadows.

No doubt President Donald Trump's tenure has been tumultuous. Some of it has even been his own fault. Trump's undeniable success, however, has been the economy. Let something happen to the economy, and Trump could be in trouble. The Democrats know that and their public relations division, the "mainstream media," knows it too. Remember, it's the economy, stupid.

Not surprisingly, concerns about a recession have begun to creep into the media. That reporting will continue and the voices of concern will grow louder. They know that the only way to destroy Trump is to destroy the economy. If they can convince enough people that the economy is about to take a turn for the worse, it will happen. The Democrats and the media would tank the economy just to get rid of Trump.

An Axios/Survey Monkey Poll has 65 percent fearful that a recession is likely this year and 35 percent not convinced. For the important Independent voters, the ratio is 62-35 percent, and for Democrats, it's 82-16 percent. Even Republicans by a 53-47 percent margin believe a recession will occur this year.

With all of the great economic news out there, where would people be getting the idea that a recession is looming? The media. Democrat politicians are planting the seeds and the media is only too willing to water them.

The economy is healthier than it has been in decades. It could all disappear overnight if we let it. When Americans have confidence in the economy, they invest by buying homes, purchasing big ticket items, traveling and eating out. When their confidence is shaken, they stop investing and the economy slows to a crawl.

Don't let the swamp dwellers shake your confidence in the economy.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. 

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420