Overview
- Trump told Fox News that polls showing economic anxiety are "fake," asserted "costs are way down" and forecast $2 gasoline, though AAA lists the national average near $3.07.
- Administration officials say they have added "policy time" to the president’s schedule and are discussing a domestic speech tour to reframe the affordability message.
- Measures under consideration include $2,000 tariff rebate checks, investigations of meatpackers and a 50-year mortgage option, with some proposals facing internal skepticism.
- Recent surveys report many Americans paying more for essentials and blaming Trump’s policies, including 61% in a CNN poll saying his agenda worsened economic conditions.
- Economists and a study led by Alberto Cavallo tie Trump’s tariffs to higher prices, estimating inflation would be lower without the tariff increases.