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Throughout the previous presidential campaign, Donald Trump courted the electorate with promises to lower prices starting on day one. But, once he assumed office, he seemed to pay minimal focus to affordability issues. This shifted after price-fatigued citizens expressed dissatisfaction at the ballot box. Within days, his team initiated a hastily assembled effort to tackle affordability. Regrettably, this initiative is a disorganized endeavor—filled with absurdity, inconsistencies, unrealistic expectations, blame-shifting, and misleading statements.

Out-of-Touch Assertions and Supermarket Truth

Just two days post-election, Trump kicked off his cost-reduction push with a disastrous remark: “Food prices are way down. Everything is way down… So I don’t want to hear about the cost of living.” These words from billionaire Trump—who frequently mingles with fellow billionaires—revealed a lack of empathy for everyday citizens who struggle every time they go the grocery store. In effect, he ignored their concerns as trivial, implying they had it wrong about price levels.

This statement about declining prices was highly misleading and dishonest. In what way could all costs be decreasing when the taxes he imposed were increasing costs? Official statistics show banana prices rose nearly 7% over the past year, beef prices climbed almost 15%, and coffee prices surged by nearly 19%—in part because of punitive tariffs applied to Brazilian products. Between January and September, prices rose in the majority of food categories tracked by the government’s price index, such as animal proteins (rising over 4%), drinks (up 2.8%), and fruits and vegetables (up 1.3%).

Contradictions and Inaccuracies in Economic Claims

In spite of these numbers, the president continues to push his misleading narrative about affordability. After the vote, he has claimed there is “virtually no inflation,” insisted “prices are way down,” and argued “it is far less expensive under Trump than it was under sleepy Joe Biden.” Such remarks ignore the fact that general costs have unarguably risen since Biden left office. Currently, price growth is running at a 3 percent per year, which is 50% higher than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2 percent. In another falsehood, Trump boasted that gas prices had dropped to nearly $2 a gallon, despite official data indicate they are over three dollars.

Faced with actual conditions and declining opinion polls, advisers apparently cautioned that his “prices are down” rhetoric portrayed him as disconnected from typical Americans. Many voters are frustrated about rising costs following promises of reductions. As a result, aides suggested one quick fix: reduce certain import taxes. This sensible idea clashed with Trump’s absurd assertion that new tariffs would not increase costs for American shoppers.

Proposed Fixes and Their Potential Effects

With certain taxes being rolled back on several food items, the administration will likely claim that he has lowered costs once those foods start declining in price. That would be similar to a firestarter boasting for extinguishing a fire that he ignited. In another instance, while speaking McDonald’s executives, he stated that “this is the peak period of America” and assured the audience that “prices are coming down and all of that stuff.” These comments come naturally for a wealthy individual to make, but seem insincere to countless households who are struggling—especially when millions risk cuts to nutrition assistance or rising insurance costs.

Per a recent poll from October, three-quarters of respondents think economic conditions are mediocre or bad, while just a quarter rate them good or excellent. A separate survey showed that 61% of Americans feel the administration’s actions have “worsened economic conditions” in the country.

Economic Reality and Suggested Measures

Scott Bessent, the president’s chief financial officer, lately contradicted assertions of a prosperous era. He stated that instead of thriving, certain sectors of the American economy “have contracted.” Industrial production—which Trump vowed to save—seems to have shrunk for multiple consecutive months and shed around 33,000 jobs since January. Pointing to this weakness, Bessent called on the Federal Reserve to reduce borrowing costs—a move that could help affordability.

In response to public dismay about affordability, the president proposed a cash handout of “a dividend of at least $2,000 a person” excluding “high income people.” To numerous struggling Americans, this sounds like a financial lifeline, but the prospects are dim that Congress—already alarmed about huge budget deficits—will approve such a plan. This idea would likely raise government expenditure, increase interest rates, and possibly drive prices higher by putting more money into consumers’ pockets.

Another supposed fix for affordability centered on creating half-century home loans, with the notion that they could reduce monthly mortgage payments. But, the truth is that such lengthy loans have minimal impact to lower monthly payments—frequently reducing them by a small amount each month. The downside is that these loans could more than double the total interest borrowers pay and hinder building home value.

Blaming the Previous Administration and Economic Outlook

As part of their cost-cutting effort, Trump and his team have once more pointed fingers at the previous president for economic problems, including rising prices. Officials stated they “inherited a disaster from Joe Biden” and were “addressing Biden’s inflation.” These are unfounded and inaccurate allegations. Actually, the former president handed over a strong economy, with inflation way down, solid expansion, and minimal joblessness. But, the current administration’s actions—particularly his tariffs—have resulted in an economic mess, pushing up prices and slowing GDP growth.

Per an economist, chief economist at a research firm, 22 states are already in recession, with their economies damaged by Trump’s tariffs. Zandi fears that if key regions like California and New York tumble into recession, the nation could face a broad economic slump. During recessions, consumers generally possess less money to spend, and inflation often falls. Unfortunately, with the highly-touted cost initiative likely to do little to control costs, his primary method for improving living standards might prove to be pushing the nation into recession—a scenario that struggling Americans really can’t afford.