Overview
- At an official White House event in Mount Pocono, Trump labeled the affordability narrative a “hoax,” asserted prices are “coming down,” and presented charts touting lower costs and higher wages.
- The rally-style speech strayed into inflammatory immigration remarks, including describing certain countries as “filthy, dirty, disgusting,” and featured an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus” self-grade on the economy.
- Recent steps to ease costs include rolling back tariffs on dozens of food products and announcing a $12 billion aid package for farmers, even as Trump doubles down on tariffs as a signature policy.
- Surveys show affordability remains a top concern: a Fox News poll found 76% view the economy negatively, AP-NORC measured 33% approval of Trump’s economic handling, and Politico/Public First reported half find paying for food difficult with a majority blaming the administration.
- Democrats highlight the gap between rhetoric and reality after fresh local wins, while GOP aides signal Trump will front a midterm push, a strategy his chief of staff says will effectively put him on the ballot.