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During last year's presidential campaign, the former president courted the electorate with promises to lower costs starting on day one. But, after his inauguration, there was minimal focus to the cost of living. All that changed after inflation-weary citizens delivered a rebuke at the ballot box. Shortly thereafter, the Trump administration initiated a slapdash campaign to address living costs. Regrettably, this initiative has proven a hot mess—filled with illogical claims, inconsistencies, magical thinking, scapegoating, and misleading statements.

Detached Claims and Grocery Store Truth

Just two days post-election, Trump 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 associates with fellow billionaires—revealed utter contempt for millions of Americans facing difficulties every time they go the grocery store. In effect, he dismissed their concerns as unimportant, implying they had it wrong about actual costs.

This statement about declining prices proved absurdly obtuse and dishonest. In what way could every price be decreasing when the taxes he imposed were pushing up prices? Recent data indicate the cost of bananas increased nearly 7% over the past year, beef prices went up 14.7%, and the cost of coffee surged 18.9%—in part because of punitive tariffs on Brazil’s coffee and beef. Between January and September, prices rose in five of the six main grocery groups tracked by the government’s price index, including meats, poultry, and fish (up 4.5%), non-alcoholic beverages (increasing nearly 3%), and produce (rising slightly).

Inconsistencies and Falsehoods in Financial Claims

Despite these numbers, the president continues to push his big lie about lower costs. Since election day, he has claimed there is “almost no price increases,” declared “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 prices overall have unarguably risen since Biden left office. Currently, inflation is running at a 3% annual rate, that’s half again as much than the central bank’s 2% goal. In another falsehood, he claimed that gas prices had fallen to around two dollars, despite government figures show they average $3.19.

Confronted by actual conditions and lower approval ratings, advisers evidently cautioned that his “costs are falling” message made him sound disconnected from typical Americans. A lot of voters are angry about prices continuing to climb after promises of decreases. As a result, aides proposed one quick fix: roll back certain import taxes. This sensible idea clashed with the president’s unrealistic claim that additional taxes wouldn’t raise prices for American shoppers.

Proposed Solutions and Their Possible Impact

As certain taxes reduced on several food items, the administration will probably announce that he has lowered costs once these products start declining in price. That would be similar to a firestarter taking credit for putting out a fire that he ignited. On another occasion, when addressing fast-food leaders, Trump declared that “this is the golden age of America” and told the audience that “prices are coming down and all of that stuff.” These comments are easy for a billionaire to make, but they ring hollow to millions of Americans who are struggling—especially when many risk cuts to nutrition assistance or rising insurance costs.

According to a survey conducted last fall, 74% of Americans believe economic conditions are fair or poor, while just a quarter consider them positive. A separate survey found that 61% of Americans feel Trump’s policies have “worsened economic conditions” in the country.

Economic Truth and Suggested Measures

The treasury secretary, the president’s chief financial officer, recently contradicted claims of a prosperous era. He stated that instead of thriving, some parts of the US economy “have contracted.” The manufacturing sector—which Trump vowed to save—seems to have shrunk for multiple consecutive months and shed approximately tens of thousands of positions this year. Pointing to these challenges, Bessent called on the Federal Reserve to reduce borrowing costs—a move that could ease financial pressure.

Reacting to widespread concern about affordability, Trump suggested a direct payment of “a payout of at least $2,000 a person” excluding “high income people.” To numerous struggling Americans, it seems like a financial lifeline, but it is unlikely that Congress—concerned about huge budget deficits—will approve such a plan. This idea could increase federal spending, increase interest rates, and potentially drive prices higher by putting more money into the economy.

A further supposed fix for affordability involved introducing 50-year mortgages, with the notion that this would lower housing costs. However, reality is that 50-year mortgages would do little to reduce installments—often cutting them by a small amount per month. The drawback is that these loans could significantly increase the total interest homeowners pay and slow their accumulation of equity.

Blaming the Past Government and Financial Prospects

In their cost-cutting effort, Trump and his team have again blamed Biden for economic problems, including rising prices. Spokespeople claimed they “inherited a disaster from Joe Biden” and were “cleaning up the prior administration’s price hikes.” These are unfounded and untruthful claims. In reality, the former president handed over a robust economic situation, with low price growth, solid expansion, and unemployment low. But, Trump’s policies—especially his tariffs—have created an difficult situation, driving costs higher and slowing GDP growth.

Per Mark Zandi, chief economist at a research firm, 22 states are experiencing economic decline, with their economies damaged by Trump’s tariffs. He worries that if key regions such as major economies enter a downturn, the nation could face a widespread recession. During recessions, consumers generally possess reduced funds to spend, and inflation usually declines. Unfortunately, given Trump’s much-ballyhooed affordability campaign likely to do little to hold down prices, his most effective “tool” for improving living standards might prove to be triggering an economic contraction—a scenario that hard-pressed households really can’t afford.