Overview
- In a new Politico interview, President Trump said the 2026 elections will be "about pricing," asserting voters will reward his economic approach.
- The shift comes weeks after he called Democrats' affordability focus a "hoax" and a "con job" in a Dec. 9 speech in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania.
- Trump highlighted recent data showing November inflation at about 2.7% year over year and third-quarter GDP growth at an annualized 4.3%.
- He has argued that energy, gasoline and electricity costs are falling and promoted that message on an affordability-themed tour with stops in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
- Surveys continue to show cost-of-living strain, including a Politico poll in which 46% said current prices are the worst they can remember.