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Throughout last year's race for the White House, the former president wooed voters with pledges to lower costs immediately upon taking office. However, after he assumed office, there was precious little focus to affordability issues. This shifted following price-fatigued citizens delivered a rebuke at the polls. Within days, the Trump administration initiated a hastily assembled effort to tackle affordability. Regrettably, this initiative has proven a disorganized endeavor—filled with absurdity, inconsistencies, magical thinking, scapegoating, and misleading statements.

Out-of-Touch Assertions and Grocery Store Truth

Merely 48 hours after the election, the president kicked off his cost-reduction push with a poorly received statement: “Food prices are way down. Everything is way down… So I don’t want to hear about affordability.” These words from the wealthy leader—who frequently mingles with other ultra-rich individuals—revealed a lack of empathy for millions of Americans who struggle every time they go supermarkets. Essentially, he dismissed their struggles as unimportant, suggesting they were mistaken about actual costs.

This statement about declining prices was absurdly obtuse and dishonest. In what way could every price be falling when his cherished tariffs were increasing costs? Official statistics show the cost of bananas rose nearly 7% over the past year, beef prices went up almost 15%, and the cost of coffee surged 18.9%—partly because of import taxes applied to Brazilian products. In the first three quarters, costs increased in the majority of main grocery groups tracked by the government’s price index, such as meats, poultry, and fish (up 4.5%), non-alcoholic beverages (up 2.8%), and produce (up 1.3%).

Contradictions and Falsehoods in Economic Claims

In spite of these numbers, Trump persists in repeating his misleading narrative about affordability. Since election day, he has stated there is “almost no price increases,” insisted “costs have fallen significantly,” and asserted “it is far less expensive under Trump than it was under sleepy Joe Biden.” These statements contradict the fact that prices overall have clearly increased after the previous administration. Currently, price growth is at a 3 percent per year, which is 50% higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal. In another falsehood, Trump claimed that gas prices had dropped to nearly $2 a gallon, even though government figures indicate they are $3.19.

Faced with reality and lower approval ratings, advisers evidently cautioned that his “prices are down” rhetoric made him sound disconnected from typical Americans. Many voters are angry about prices continuing to climb after assurances of reductions. In response, aides proposed one quick fix: roll back some of Trump’s beloved tariffs. The logical move contradicted Trump’s absurd assertion that additional taxes wouldn’t raise prices for American shoppers.

Suggested Solutions and Their Potential Effects

With certain taxes reduced on several food items, Trump will probably claim that he has cut prices once those foods begin to fall in price. That would be like an arsonist taking credit for putting out a fire that he ignited. On another occasion, when addressing fast-food leaders, he stated that “we are in the golden age of America” and told listeners that “prices are coming down and all of that stuff.” Such statements are easy for a billionaire to make, but they ring hollow to countless households facing hardships—particularly when millions risk cuts to nutrition assistance or rising insurance costs.

According to a survey conducted last fall, 74% of Americans think the state of the economy are mediocre or bad, while just a quarter consider them good or excellent. A separate survey found that 61% of Americans feel the administration’s actions have “made the economy worse” in the country.

Economic Truth and Proposed Measures

Scott Bessent, Trump’s chief financial officer, recently contradicted assertions of a golden age. He stated that instead of thriving, certain sectors of the American economy “have contracted.” Industrial production—a priority for the administration—appears to have contracted for multiple consecutive months and lost approximately tens of thousands of positions this year. Citing this weakness, the secretary urged the Federal Reserve to reduce borrowing costs—an action that could help affordability.

Reacting to widespread concern about affordability, the president proposed a cash handout of “a payout of at least $2,000 a person” excluding “the wealthy.” To numerous households in need, it seems like manna from heaven, but it is unlikely that Congress—already alarmed about huge budget deficits—will enact the proposal. This idea would likely raise government expenditure, increase interest rates, and potentially drive prices higher by injecting cash into the economy.

Another supposed fix for affordability involved introducing half-century home loans, based on the idea that this would reduce monthly mortgage payments. But, reality is that such lengthy loans would do little to lower monthly payments—frequently reducing them by just $100 or $200 per month. The downside is that these mortgages could more than double the overall cost homeowners pay and slow their accumulation of equity.

Faulting the Previous Administration and Economic Outlook

In their cost-cutting effort, Trump and his team have again pointed fingers at the previous president for economic problems, including rising prices. Spokespeople stated they “faced a mess from Joe Biden” and were “addressing the prior administration’s price hikes.” This is unfounded and inaccurate claims. In reality, Biden left a robust economic situation, with inflation way down, solid expansion, and minimal joblessness. But, Trump’s policies—particularly import taxes—have resulted in an economic mess, driving costs higher and reducing economic output.

Per Mark Zandi, lead analyst at a research firm, numerous regions are already in recession, with their conditions worsened by Trump’s tariffs. Zandi worries that if large states like major economies tumble into recession, the US could face a widespread recession. In downturns, people generally possess less money to spend, and price increases usually declines. Sadly, given Trump’s much-ballyhooed affordability campaign probably ineffective to hold down prices, his most effective “tool” for improving living standards might end up pushing the nation into recession—a scenario that hard-pressed households cannot handle.