Overview
- A new POLITICO poll finds 46% of Americans say the cost of living is the worst they can remember and hold the current administration responsible, with a notable share of 2024 Trump voters sharing that view.
- Trump has dismissed the affordability issue as a Democratic “scam” and “con job,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson urged the public to “relax” and Vice President JD Vance argued Democrats caused the problem.
- Fox News figures have grown more skeptical, with Sandra Smith questioning GOP handling, Martha MacCallum pressing NEC director Kevin Hassett on polling, and Jesse Watters stating, “It’s Trump’s economy now.”
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested on Face the Nation that perceptions of an affordability crisis are shaped by media coverage, drawing pushback from the interviewer citing voter polling.
- The White House is preparing an affordability-focused push, with Trump scheduled to travel to Pennsylvania this week to spotlight efforts to address inflation and household costs.