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Throughout the previous presidential campaign, Donald Trump courted the electorate with promises to reduce costs immediately upon taking office. However, once his inauguration, there was minimal attention to affordability issues. All that changed after price-fatigued citizens delivered a rebuke at the ballot box. Within days, the Trump administration launched a hastily assembled campaign to tackle affordability. Unfortunately, the drive is a hot mess—filled with illogical claims, inconsistencies, unrealistic expectations, scapegoating, and misleading statements.

Out-of-Touch Claims and Supermarket Reality

Merely 48 hours after the election, Trump kicked off his affordability drive with a poorly received remark: “Food prices are way down. All items is way down… So I don’t want to hear about affordability.” These words from billionaire Trump—often associates with other ultra-rich individuals—revealed a lack of empathy for everyday citizens who struggle every time they go supermarkets. In effect, he dismissed their concerns as trivial, implying they were mistaken about actual costs.

This statement that everything was “way down” proved highly misleading and dishonest. How could all costs be falling when his cherished tariffs were increasing prices? Recent data show the cost of bananas increased nearly 7% in the last twelve months, the price of beef climbed 14.7%, and the cost of coffee surged by nearly 19%—partly due to import taxes on Brazil’s coffee and beef. Between January and September, prices rose in the majority of food categories monitored by the government’s price index, such as meats, poultry, and fish (rising over 4%), drinks (increasing nearly 3%), and fruits and vegetables (up 1.3%).

Inconsistencies and Inaccuracies in Economic Statements

In spite of these numbers, Trump continues to push his big lie about affordability. Since election day, he has stated there is “almost no price increases,” declared “costs have fallen significantly,” and argued “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. At present, price growth is running at a 3% annual rate, that’s half again as much than the Federal Reserve’s target of 2 percent. In another falsehood, he boasted that gas prices had fallen to around two dollars, even though government figures indicate they average over three dollars.

Confronted by reality and lower approval ratings, some Trump aides evidently cautioned that his “prices are down” rhetoric portrayed him as disconnected from typical Americans. A lot of voters are frustrated about rising costs following promises of decreases. In response, advisers proposed one quick fix: roll back some of Trump’s beloved tariffs. This sensible idea contradicted the president’s unrealistic claim that new tariffs wouldn’t raise prices for US consumers.

Proposed Fixes and Their Possible Effects

With certain taxes reduced on several food items, the administration will probably claim that he has lowered costs once these products start declining in price. That would be similar to a firestarter boasting for putting out a fire that he ignited. On another occasion, while speaking fast-food leaders, he declared that “we are in the peak period of America” and assured listeners that “prices are coming down and all of that stuff.” Such statements come naturally for a billionaire to make, but seem insincere to millions of Americans who are struggling—especially when millions face losing food stamps or skyrocketing health premiums.

According to a survey conducted last fall, three-quarters of respondents believe the state of the economy are mediocre or bad, while only 26% rate them positive. A separate survey found that 61% of Americans say Trump’s policies have “made the economy worse” in the country.

Economic Truth and Proposed Measures

The treasury secretary, the president’s chief financial officer, lately contradicted assertions of a golden age. He noted that instead of thriving, certain sectors of the American economy “have contracted.” The manufacturing sector—which Trump vowed to save—seems to have shrunk for eight months in a row and lost around 33,000 jobs since January. Citing these challenges, the secretary urged the central bank to reduce borrowing costs—a move that could help affordability.

Reacting to public dismay about affordability, Trump proposed a cash handout of “a dividend of at least $2,000 a person” not for “the wealthy.” To numerous households in need, this sounds like manna from heaven, but the prospects are dim that lawmakers—concerned about huge budget deficits—will enact such a plan. The scheme would likely raise government expenditure, push up borrowing costs, and potentially drive prices higher by putting more money into the economy.

Another proposed solution for cost issues involved introducing half-century home loans, based on the idea that this would reduce monthly mortgage payments. However, the truth is that such lengthy loans would do little to reduce installments—frequently reducing them by just $100 or $200 each month. The drawback is that these mortgages could significantly increase the total interest homeowners pay and hinder their accumulation of equity.

Blaming the Past Government and Financial Outlook

In their cost-cutting effort, the administration have again pointed fingers at Biden for economic problems, such as rising prices. Officials claimed they “faced a mess from Joe Biden” and were “addressing Biden’s inflation.” This is unfounded and inaccurate allegations. Actually, the former president handed over a strong economy, with inflation way down, economic growth strong, and unemployment low. But, Trump’s policies—especially his tariffs—have resulted in an difficult situation, driving costs higher and reducing economic output.

Per an economist, lead analyst at a research firm, 22 states are experiencing economic decline, with their conditions worsened by Trump’s tariffs. He fears that if key regions such as California and New York enter a downturn, the nation could face a broad economic slump. In downturns, consumers typically have reduced funds to spend, and inflation often falls. Unfortunately, with the highly-touted cost initiative likely to do little to hold down prices, his primary method for improving living standards might end up pushing the nation into recession—a scenario that hard-pressed households really can’t afford.