Overview
- Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he "doesn't want to hear about the affordability" and asserted groceries and energy are "way down."
- In a Fox News interview, he rejected a longtime supporter’s plea about rising costs by saying "we've got prices way down," then posted that Walmart’s Thanksgiving dinner is 25% cheaper than last year.
- Retail listings show Walmart’s 2025 holiday basket serves more people by using fewer items and more store-brand swaps than 2024, making direct price comparisons misleading.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics data show CPI up about 3% year over year, food-at-home prices higher, and gas averaging roughly $3.08 per gallon, undercutting claims of broad price declines.
- After Democrats won key races where voters prioritized the economy, the White House is amplifying an affordability push with drug-price agreements and planned tax-break messaging, as some Republicans urge a sharper focus on cost of living.