Overview
- A YouGov/CBS survey reported by the Mirror US found 61% say President Trump makes prices and inflation sound better than they are, 45% expect to be worse off next year, and 37% approve of his handling of the economy.
- The Associated Press figures cited in the report note consumer inflation near 3% in September, roughly the same as when Trump took office, undercutting claims that prices are falling rapidly.
- A Daily Signal op-ed by EJ Antoni and a Heritage commentary argue earnings have outpaced inflation this year, with real average weekly pay up about 1% over eight months after a roughly 4% decline in the prior four years, while housing costs remain a major drag.
- The commentaries press for expanded deregulation—especially in housing and mortgage finance—tariff adjustments to avoid consumer goods like coffee and bananas, and a bigger mandate for the Department of Government Efficiency to cut spending and borrowing.
- Pro-administration writers also credit reductions in federal payrolls, record domestic energy output, stricter immigration enforcement, and a reported 2.6 million increase in native-born employment over 12 months as contributors to improving affordability.