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Throughout last year's presidential campaign, Donald Trump courted voters with pledges to lower costs starting on day one. But, once he assumed office, he seemed to pay minimal attention to affordability issues. This shifted following inflation-weary citizens delivered a rebuke at the ballot box. Within days, the Trump administration initiated a hastily assembled effort to tackle living costs. Regrettably, the drive has proven a hot mess—filled with illogical claims, contradictions, unrealistic expectations, blame-shifting, and misleading statements.

Detached Assertions and Grocery Store Truth

Merely 48 hours post-election, Trump kicked off his affordability drive with a poorly received statement: “Food prices are way down. Everything is way down… So I don’t want to hear about the cost of living.” This comment from the wealthy leader—often associates with other ultra-rich individuals—demonstrated utter contempt for everyday citizens who struggle when visiting supermarkets. Essentially, he ignored their struggles as trivial, suggesting they were mistaken about actual costs.

His assertion that everything was “way down” proved absurdly obtuse and dishonest. In what way could every price be falling when the taxes he imposed were pushing up costs? Recent data show the cost of bananas increased nearly 7% over the past year, the price of beef went up almost 15%, and the cost of coffee surged by nearly 19%—in part because of import taxes on Brazil’s coffee and beef. In the first three quarters, prices rose in five of the six main grocery groups tracked by the government’s price index, such as animal proteins (up 4.5%), non-alcoholic beverages (increasing nearly 3%), and produce (up 1.3%).

Inconsistencies and Falsehoods in Economic Statements

In spite of these numbers, the president continues to push his misleading narrative about lower costs. After the vote, he has claimed there is “virtually no inflation,” insisted “costs have fallen significantly,” and asserted “living is cheaper under Trump than it was under his predecessor.” These statements ignore the fact that general costs have clearly increased since Biden left office. Currently, inflation is running at a 3 percent per year, that’s half again as much than the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal. Adding to the inaccuracies, he boasted that fuel costs had fallen to around two dollars, even though official data show they are $3.19.

Faced with actual conditions and declining opinion polls, advisers apparently cautioned that his “costs are falling” message portrayed him as dangerously out of touch from typical Americans. Many voters are frustrated about rising costs after assurances of decreases. As a result, aides proposed a simple solution: roll back some of Trump’s beloved tariffs. The logical move contradicted the president’s unrealistic claim that new tariffs would not increase costs for US consumers.

Proposed Fixes and Their Possible Effects

With some tariffs being rolled back on several food items, the administration will likely claim that he has lowered costs once those foods start declining in price. This would be similar to a firestarter boasting for putting out a blaze that he ignited. On another occasion, while speaking fast-food leaders, Trump stated that “we are in the golden age of America” and told listeners that “prices are coming down and all of that stuff.” Such statements are easy for a wealthy individual to make, but they ring hollow to millions of Americans who are struggling—especially when millions risk cuts to nutrition assistance or rising insurance costs.

Per a survey from October, 74% of Americans think economic conditions are fair or poor, while just a quarter rate them positive. Another poll found that 61% of Americans feel Trump’s policies have “worsened economic conditions” in the country.

Financial Reality and Suggested Measures

Scott Bessent, Trump’s top economic official, recently contradicted assertions of a prosperous era. He stated that far from booming, certain sectors of the US economy “are in recession.” Industrial production—which Trump vowed to save—seems to have shrunk for eight months in a row and shed approximately 33,000 jobs since January. Citing these challenges, the secretary urged the central bank to reduce borrowing costs—an action that could ease financial pressure.

In response to widespread concern about living costs, the president suggested a direct payment of “a payout of at least $2,000 a person” not for “high income people.” To numerous struggling Americans, it seems like manna from heaven, but the prospects are dim that lawmakers—concerned about large shortfalls—will approve the proposal. This idea could increase federal spending, increase borrowing costs, and possibly drive prices higher by putting more money into consumers’ pockets.

Another supposed fix for affordability centered on introducing 50-year mortgages, based on the idea that this would reduce monthly mortgage payments. However, reality is that 50-year mortgages would do little to lower monthly payments—frequently cutting them by just $100 or $200 each month. The downside is that these loans could significantly increase the total interest homeowners pay and hinder building home value.

Blaming the Previous Administration and Financial Prospects

In their cost-cutting effort, Trump and his team have again blamed the previous president for economic problems, such as increasing costs. Officials stated they “inherited a disaster from Joe Biden” and were “addressing Biden’s inflation.” This is absurd and untruthful claims. Actually, the former president left a strong economy, with low price growth, economic growth strong, and minimal joblessness. However, Trump’s policies—especially import taxes—have created an economic mess, driving costs higher and reducing economic output.

According to an economist, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, numerous regions are already in recession, with their economies damaged by the administration’s trade policies. Zandi fears that if large states such as major economies tumble into recession, the US could slide into a widespread recession. During recessions, consumers generally possess reduced funds to spend, and price increases often falls. Sadly, given Trump’s much-ballyhooed cost initiative likely to do little to hold down prices, his most effective “tool” for improving living standards might end up triggering an economic contraction—a scenario that hard-pressed households really can’t afford.