Overview
- In a POLITICO interview, Trump said the elections will center on "pricing" and claimed his administration is driving costs down, pointing to lower energy and gasoline.
- The repositioning follows his earlier statements labeling Democrats’ affordability message a "hoax" and a "dead" issue.
- Official reports show inflation easing to 2.7% year over year in November and GDP growing at a 4.3% annualized pace in the third quarter.
- Polling cited by POLITICO indicates nearly half of Americans struggle to afford essentials such as groceries, housing, utilities, transportation and health care.
- Trump urged Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster, arguing it would prevent a potential government shutdown in late January and clear the way for GOP priorities.