Overview
- Trump has repeatedly said “costs are way down” and labeled concerns about a cost‑of‑living crisis a Democratic “con job,” including in new public remarks and social media posts.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene warned that telling voters prices have come down is “gaslighting,” saying people see higher bills for groceries, clothing and electricity.
- A senior administration official told NPR that Trump will travel the country to promote an affordability message and convey that more work remains.
- Official data show persistent inflation near 3% with September CPI up 0.3%, with staples like ground beef and coffee higher even as eggs are cheaper and gasoline averages about $3.09 per gallon; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says tariffs on items such as coffee and bananas will be cut.
- Public sentiment is negative as an AP‑NORC poll puts Trump’s approval at 36% and 33% on the economy, YouGov finds more Americans say conditions are worsening, and Democrats recently won key races where affordability was central.