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Throughout last year's presidential campaign, Donald Trump courted voters with promises to reduce prices immediately upon taking office. However, after his inauguration, he seemed to pay precious little attention to the cost of living. All that changed following price-fatigued voters delivered a rebuke at the ballot box. Within days, his team launched a slapdash campaign to address affordability. Unfortunately, this initiative is a disorganized endeavor—filled with illogical claims, inconsistencies, magical thinking, blame-shifting, and misleading statements.

Out-of-Touch Claims and Grocery Store Reality

Just two days after the election, Trump kicked off his cost-reduction push with a poorly received remark: “Our groceries are way down. All items is way down… So I don’t want to hear about the cost of living.” This comment from billionaire Trump—often mingles with other ultra-rich individuals—demonstrated a lack of empathy for millions of Americans facing difficulties every time they go the grocery store. Essentially, he ignored their struggles as unimportant, suggesting they had it wrong about price levels.

His assertion that everything was “way down” was highly misleading and dishonest. In what way could every price be decreasing when his cherished tariffs were increasing prices? Official statistics show banana prices increased nearly 7% over the past year, beef prices climbed 14.7%, and the cost of coffee surged 18.9%—partly due to import taxes applied to Brazilian products. Between January and September, prices rose in five of the six main grocery groups monitored by the government’s price index, including meats, poultry, and fish (up 4.5%), non-alcoholic beverages (up 2.8%), and produce (rising slightly).

Inconsistencies and Falsehoods in Economic Claims

Despite the evidence, Trump persists in repeating his big lie about lower costs. After the vote, he has claimed there is “almost no price increases,” insisted “prices are way down,” and asserted “it is far less expensive under Trump than it was under his predecessor.” These statements ignore the reality that general costs have unarguably risen after the previous administration. At present, inflation is at a 3 percent per year, that’s 50% higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal. In another falsehood, Trump claimed that fuel costs had fallen to nearly $2 a gallon, despite government figures indicate they are over three dollars.

Confronted by reality and lower approval ratings, advisers evidently cautioned that his “prices are down” rhetoric made him sound dangerously out of touch from ordinary people. Many voters are angry about rising costs following promises of reductions. As a result, aides proposed one quick fix: roll back some of Trump’s beloved tariffs. This sensible idea contradicted Trump’s absurd assertion that new tariffs wouldn’t raise prices for American shoppers.

Suggested Solutions and Their Potential Effects

With some tariffs reduced on several food items, the administration will probably claim that he has lowered costs once those foods start declining in price. This would be like an arsonist taking credit for putting out a fire that he ignited. In another instance, while speaking fast-food leaders, Trump declared that “this is the peak period of America” and assured listeners that “costs are decreasing and all of that stuff.” Such statements come naturally for a billionaire to make, but they ring hollow to millions of Americans facing hardships—especially when many risk cuts to nutrition assistance or skyrocketing health premiums.

According to a survey from October, three-quarters of respondents believe economic conditions are mediocre or bad, while only 26% rate them positive. Another poll found that 61% of Americans feel the administration’s actions have “worsened economic conditions” in the country.

Financial Truth and Proposed Steps

Scott Bessent, the president’s chief financial officer, recently contradicted claims of a golden age. He noted that instead of thriving, certain sectors of the American economy “are in recession.” The manufacturing sector—which Trump vowed to save—appears to have contracted for multiple consecutive months and shed approximately tens of thousands of positions this year. Citing this weakness, the secretary urged the central bank to cut interest rates—an action that could ease financial pressure.

Reacting to public dismay about living costs, Trump proposed a cash handout of “a dividend of at least $2,000 a person” excluding “high income people.” To numerous households in need, this sounds like a financial lifeline, but the prospects are dim that lawmakers—concerned about large shortfalls—will enact such a plan. The scheme could increase federal spending, increase borrowing costs, and potentially fuel inflation by injecting cash into consumers’ pockets.

Another proposed solution for affordability centered on creating 50-year mortgages, with the notion that they could reduce monthly mortgage payments. However, reality is that such lengthy loans have minimal impact to lower monthly payments—frequently cutting them by a small amount each month. The downside is that these mortgages could significantly increase the overall cost homeowners pay and slow their accumulation of equity.

Faulting the Past Government and Economic Prospects

As part of their affordability campaign, the administration have again pointed fingers at Biden for financial challenges, such as increasing costs. Spokespeople stated they “faced a mess from Joe Biden” and were “addressing Biden’s inflation.” These are unfounded and inaccurate claims. In reality, the former president handed over a robust economic situation, with low price growth, economic growth strong, and minimal joblessness. But, the current administration’s actions—particularly import taxes—have resulted in an economic mess, pushing up prices and reducing economic output.

According to an economist, chief economist at a research firm, 22 states are already in recession, with their conditions worsened by Trump’s tariffs. He worries that if large states such as major economies enter a downturn, the US could slide into a broad economic slump. During recessions, consumers typically have less money to spend, and inflation usually declines. Sadly, with the highly-touted cost initiative likely to do little to control costs, his most effective “tool” for improving living standards might prove to be triggering an economic contraction—a scenario that struggling Americans cannot handle.