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Throughout last year's presidential campaign, Donald Trump wooed the electorate with promises to lower prices immediately upon taking office. However, after his inauguration, there was minimal attention to the cost of living. All that changed after inflation-weary citizens delivered a rebuke at the polls. Shortly thereafter, his team initiated a hastily assembled campaign to tackle living costs. Regrettably, the drive has proven a hot mess—characterized by absurdity, contradictions, unrealistic expectations, blame-shifting, and Trumpian dishonesty.

Detached Assertions and Supermarket Reality

Just two days post-election, the president began his affordability drive with a poorly received remark: “Food prices are way down. Everything is way down… So I don’t want to hear about the cost of living.” This comment from billionaire Trump—who frequently associates with fellow billionaires—revealed utter contempt for millions of Americans who struggle every time they go the grocery store. Essentially, he ignored their struggles as unimportant, implying they had it wrong about price levels.

His assertion about declining prices proved absurdly obtuse and inaccurate. How could all costs be decreasing when his cherished tariffs were increasing costs? Recent data show banana prices increased 6.9% in the last twelve months, the price of beef climbed 14.7%, and the cost of coffee surged by nearly 19%—partly because of import taxes applied to Brazilian products. Between January and September, costs increased in five of the six food categories tracked by the Consumer Price Index, such as animal proteins (up 4.5%), drinks (increasing nearly 3%), and produce (up 1.3%).

Inconsistencies and Falsehoods in Financial Statements

Despite these numbers, the president continues to push his big lie about lower costs. Since election day, he has claimed there is “almost no price increases,” insisted “prices are way down,” and argued “living is cheaper under Trump than it was under sleepy Joe Biden.” Such remarks contradict the reality that general costs have unarguably risen since Biden left office. Currently, price growth is at a 3 percent per year, that’s half again as much than the central bank’s target of 2 percent. Adding to the inaccuracies, he boasted that fuel costs had fallen to around two dollars, even though government figures show they average over three dollars.

Faced with actual conditions and lower approval ratings, some Trump aides evidently warned that his “costs are falling” message portrayed him as disconnected from typical Americans. Many citizens are angry about prices continuing to climb after promises of decreases. In response, aides proposed one quick fix: reduce some of Trump’s beloved tariffs. The logical move contradicted the president’s unrealistic claim that additional taxes wouldn’t raise prices for American shoppers.

Suggested Fixes and Their Possible Effects

As some tariffs reduced on several food items, Trump will likely claim that he has cut prices once those foods start declining in price. This would be like an arsonist boasting for putting out a fire that he had started. On another occasion, while speaking fast-food leaders, Trump stated that “this is the golden age of America” and told listeners that “costs are decreasing and all of that stuff.” Such statements are easy for a billionaire to make, but they ring hollow to countless households who are struggling—especially when millions risk cuts to nutrition assistance or rising insurance costs.

According to a recent poll conducted last fall, three-quarters of respondents believe economic conditions are fair or poor, while only 26% consider them good or excellent. Another poll showed that a majority of citizens feel Trump’s policies have “worsened economic conditions” in the country.

Economic Reality and Suggested Steps

Scott Bessent, Trump’s top economic official, recently contradicted assertions of a prosperous era. He stated that instead of thriving, certain sectors of the US economy “are in recession.” The manufacturing sector—a priority for the administration—seems to have shrunk for eight months in a row and shed around tens of thousands of positions this year. Citing this weakness, Bessent called on the Federal Reserve to reduce borrowing costs—a move that could ease financial pressure.

Reacting to public dismay about affordability, Trump proposed a direct payment of “a dividend of at least $2,000 a person” excluding “the wealthy.” For many struggling Americans, this sounds like manna from heaven, but it is unlikely that Congress—already alarmed about large shortfalls—will approve such a plan. The scheme could raise government expenditure, increase interest rates, and potentially fuel inflation by putting more money into the economy.

Another supposed fix for cost issues centered on creating 50-year mortgages, based on the idea that this would lower housing costs. However, reality is that 50-year mortgages would do little to reduce installments—frequently reducing them by a small amount per month. The downside is that these loans could more than double the total interest homeowners pay and slow building home value.

Faulting the Previous Administration and Financial Prospects

In their cost-cutting effort, Trump and his team have again pointed fingers at the previous president for financial challenges, such as rising prices. Spokespeople claimed they “inherited a disaster from Joe Biden” and were “addressing Biden’s inflation.” This is unfounded and inaccurate claims. Actually, Biden left a robust economic situation, with inflation way down, solid expansion, and minimal joblessness. However, the current administration’s actions—particularly import taxes—have created an economic mess, driving costs higher and reducing economic output.

Per Mark Zandi, lead analyst at Moody’s Analytics, numerous regions are experiencing economic decline, with their economies damaged by the administration’s trade policies. Zandi worries that if large states like major economies tumble into recession, the nation could face a broad economic slump. In downturns, people generally possess reduced funds to spend, and inflation often falls. Unfortunately, with the highly-touted cost initiative probably ineffective to hold down prices, his most effective “tool” for achieving increased affordability might end up pushing the nation into recession—something that struggling Americans really can’t afford.