Trump's Post-Election Affordability U-Turn
Following a bruising election defeat for Republicans this month, the Trump administration has launched a hastily assembled campaign focusing on affordability—a stark reversal after the president largely ignored the issue during his first year in office. The sudden pivot comes after inflation-weary voters delivered a sharp rebuke at the ballot box, forcing the administration to confront an issue that Donald Trump had promised to solve "starting on day one" during his presidential campaign.
A Campaign of Contradictions and Falsehoods
The administration's new affordability drive began disastrously when Trump declared just two days after the election: "Our groceries are way down. Everything is way down... So I don't want to hear about the affordability." This statement from the billionaire president—who frequently socializes with other wealthy individuals—demonstrated profound contempt for millions of Americans struggling with grocery bills and living costs.
Trump's assertion that "everything is way down" represents what critics describe as "magical thinking" and outright dishonesty. The claim collapses under basic economic scrutiny, particularly given the president's cherished tariff policies that have actively pushed prices upward. Official data reveals banana prices have increased by 6.9% over the past year, beef has risen by 14.7%, and coffee has jumped by 18.9%—partly due to substantial punitive tariffs Trump placed on Brazilian coffee and beef.
Between January and September, prices rose in five of the six main grocery categories tracked in the Consumer Price Index:
- Meats, poultry and fish: up 4.5%
- Non-alcoholic beverages: up 2.8%
- Fruits and vegetables: up 1.3%
Reality Versus Rhetoric
Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Trump continues to propagate what critics call his "big lie" about affordability. Since election day, he has repeatedly claimed there's "virtually no inflation," "prices are way down," and "it is far less expensive under Trump than it was under sleepy Joe Biden." These statements directly contradict economic reality, as prices have unarguably risen since Biden left office.
Current inflation runs at a 3% annual rate—50% higher than the Federal Reserve's 2% target. In another factual misstep, Trump boasted that gas prices had fallen to nearly $2 per gallon, while his own Department of Energy reports the national average stands at $3.19.
The administration's internal recognition of this disconnect became apparent when advisers reportedly warned Trump that his "prices are down" rhetoric made him sound dangerously out of touch with ordinary Americans. This prompted a partial reversal on tariffs—the very policies contributing to price increases Trump now claims don't exist.
Questionable Solutions and Political Consequences
Facing declining opinion polls, the administration has proposed several controversial solutions to the affordability crisis. Trump recently promised "a dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high income people!)"—a potential financial lifeline for struggling families but unlikely to pass a Congress already concerned about massive budget deficits.
This proposal represents a tacit admission that Trump's signature tax legislation provided disproportionate benefits to wealthy Americans. The administration has also floated the idea of 50-year mortgages, claiming they would reduce monthly payments. However, financial experts note these would typically lower payments by only $100-200 per month while more than doubling the total interest paid over the loan's lifetime.
The administration continues to blame Biden for economic problems, with White House spokesperson JD Vance asserting "We inherited a disaster from Joe Biden." This narrative conflicts with economic data showing Biden handed over a strong economy with low unemployment and controlled inflation. Since then, Trump's tariff policies have contributed to rising prices and slowed GDP growth.
According to Moody's Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi, 22 states are already in recession, damaged by Trump's tariffs. Zandi warns that if major states like California and New York follow, the nation could slide into a broader economic downturn—ironically achieving lower inflation through recession rather than sound policy.
Public opinion reflects widespread skepticism about Trump's economic management. An October Pew poll found that 74% of Americans consider economic conditions fair or poor, while a CNN poll revealed 61% believe Trump's policies have worsened economic conditions. Even Trump's own treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, has acknowledged that parts of the US economy "are in recession," contradicting the president's claims of a "golden age."
