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During last year's presidential campaign, the former president wooed the electorate with promises to reduce costs starting on day one. However, after he assumed office, he seemed to pay minimal focus to affordability issues. This shifted after price-fatigued voters expressed dissatisfaction at the ballot box. Shortly thereafter, the Trump administration initiated a hastily assembled effort to tackle affordability. Regrettably, the drive is a hot mess—filled with illogical claims, contradictions, unrealistic expectations, blame-shifting, and Trumpian dishonesty.

Detached Assertions and Supermarket Truth

Just two days post-election, the president kicked off his affordability drive with a poorly received statement: “Our groceries are way down. All items is way down… So I don’t want to hear about the cost of living.” These words from the wealthy leader—who frequently associates with other ultra-rich individuals—revealed utter contempt for millions of Americans who struggle every time they go the grocery store. In effect, he dismissed their concerns as trivial, implying they were mistaken about price levels.

His assertion that everything was “way down” proved highly misleading and dishonest. How could all costs be decreasing when his cherished tariffs were increasing costs? Official statistics indicate the cost of bananas rose 6.9% in the last twelve months, the price of beef climbed almost 15%, and coffee prices surged 18.9%—in part because of punitive tariffs on Brazil’s coffee and beef. In the first three quarters, costs increased in five of the six main grocery groups tracked by the government’s price index, including meats, poultry, and fish (up 4.5%), drinks (increasing nearly 3%), and produce (up 1.3%).

Contradictions and Falsehoods in Financial Statements

In spite of these numbers, Trump continues to push his misleading narrative about affordability. Since election day, he has claimed there is “virtually no inflation,” declared “prices are way down,” and asserted “it is far less expensive under Trump than it was under his predecessor.” These statements ignore the reality that prices overall have clearly increased after the previous administration. Currently, price growth is running at a 3 percent per year, that’s half again as much than the central bank’s 2% goal. Adding to the inaccuracies, Trump claimed that fuel costs had dropped to nearly $2 a gallon, even though government figures indicate they are over three dollars.

Faced with reality and declining opinion polls, some Trump aides apparently cautioned that his “costs are falling” message portrayed him as dangerously out of touch from ordinary people. Many citizens are frustrated about rising costs after assurances of reductions. In response, aides proposed one quick fix: roll back some of Trump’s beloved tariffs. This sensible idea clashed with Trump’s absurd assertion that additional taxes would not increase costs for US consumers.

Proposed Fixes and Their Potential Effects

As certain taxes being rolled back on coffee, beef, tomatoes, and bananas, the administration will probably claim that he has cut prices once those foods start declining in price. That would be similar to a firestarter taking credit for putting out a fire that he had started. On another occasion, while speaking fast-food leaders, he stated that “we are in the golden age of America” and told the audience that “prices are coming down and all of that stuff.” Such statements are easy for a billionaire to make, but they ring hollow to countless households who are struggling—particularly when many face cuts to nutrition assistance or rising insurance costs.

Per a survey conducted last fall, three-quarters of respondents think the state of the economy are mediocre or bad, while just a quarter consider them positive. A separate survey showed that 61% of Americans say the administration’s actions have “made the economy worse” in the country.

Economic Truth and Suggested Steps

Scott Bessent, the president’s top economic official, lately disputed claims of a golden age. He stated that instead of thriving, some parts of the American economy “have contracted.” The manufacturing sector—which Trump vowed to save—appears to have contracted for multiple consecutive months and shed around tens of thousands of positions since January. Pointing to these challenges, Bessent called on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates—an action that could help affordability.

In response to public dismay about living costs, the president suggested a cash handout of “a payout of at least $2,000 a person” excluding “high income people.” For many households in need, it seems like manna from heaven, but the prospects are dim that Congress—concerned about huge budget deficits—will enact the proposal. This idea could increase federal spending, increase borrowing costs, and potentially fuel inflation by putting more money into the economy.

Another proposed solution for cost issues involved introducing 50-year mortgages, based on the idea that this would lower housing costs. But, reality is that 50-year mortgages have minimal impact to reduce installments—frequently cutting them by a small amount each month. The drawback is that these mortgages could significantly increase the overall cost homeowners pay and slow their accumulation of equity.

Faulting the Previous Administration and Economic Prospects

In their cost-cutting effort, the administration have again blamed the previous president for financial challenges, including increasing costs. Spokespeople stated they “faced a mess from Joe Biden” and were “cleaning up Biden’s inflation.” This is absurd and inaccurate claims. Actually, Biden handed over a robust economic situation, with low price growth, economic growth strong, and unemployment low. But, Trump’s policies—especially his tariffs—have created an difficult situation, pushing up prices and slowing GDP growth.

Per Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, 22 states are experiencing economic decline, with their economies damaged by the administration’s trade policies. Zandi worries that if key regions like major economies tumble into recession, the US could face a broad economic slump. In downturns, people generally possess less money to spend, and inflation usually declines. Sadly, with the highly-touted cost initiative probably ineffective to control costs, his primary method for improving living standards might end up pushing the nation into recession—something that struggling Americans really can’t afford.