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Throughout last year's race for the White House, the former president courted the electorate with pledges to lower costs starting on day one. However, after his inauguration, there was minimal attention to affordability issues. All that changed following inflation-weary voters delivered a rebuke at the ballot box. Shortly thereafter, the Trump administration initiated a slapdash effort to address affordability. Regrettably, the drive has proven a disorganized endeavor—characterized by absurdity, inconsistencies, unrealistic expectations, scapegoating, and Trumpian dishonesty.

Detached Assertions and Supermarket Reality

Merely 48 hours after the election, Trump kicked off his affordability drive with a poorly received remark: “Our groceries are way down. All items is way down… So I don’t want to hear about affordability.” These words from billionaire Trump—who frequently mingles with fellow billionaires—revealed a lack of empathy for everyday citizens facing difficulties when visiting supermarkets. Essentially, he dismissed their struggles as unimportant, suggesting they were mistaken about price levels.

His assertion that everything was “way down” was highly misleading and dishonest. In what way could all costs be falling when his cherished tariffs were increasing costs? Official statistics show the cost of bananas rose 6.9% in the last twelve months, beef prices went up almost 15%, and coffee prices jumped 18.9%—partly because of punitive tariffs on Brazil’s coffee and beef. Between January and September, costs increased in five of the six food categories tracked by the government’s price index, including animal proteins (up 4.5%), drinks (increasing nearly 3%), and produce (rising slightly).

Inconsistencies and Inaccuracies in Economic Claims

Despite these numbers, the president persists in repeating his big lie about lower costs. Since election day, he has stated there is “almost no price increases,” insisted “prices are way down,” and argued “it is far less expensive under Trump than it was under his predecessor.” These statements ignore the fact that general costs have clearly increased after the previous administration. Currently, price growth is at a 3% annual rate, which is half again as much than the central bank’s 2% goal. Adding to the inaccuracies, he boasted that gas prices had dropped to nearly $2 a gallon, even though government figures show they are $3.19.

Faced with actual conditions and declining opinion polls, advisers apparently warned that his “costs are falling” message made him sound disconnected from ordinary people. Many voters are angry about rising costs after promises of decreases. In response, advisers proposed one quick fix: roll back some of Trump’s beloved tariffs. The logical move clashed with Trump’s absurd assertion that new tariffs wouldn’t raise prices for American shoppers.

Proposed Fixes and Their Potential Effects

As some tariffs being rolled back on coffee, beef, tomatoes, and bananas, the administration will likely announce that he has lowered costs once these products start declining in price. That would be like an arsonist taking credit for putting out a fire that he ignited. On another occasion, while speaking McDonald’s executives, he declared that “this is the peak period of America” and told listeners that “costs are decreasing and all of that stuff.” Such statements come naturally for a wealthy individual to make, but seem insincere to countless households who are struggling—particularly when many face losing food stamps or rising insurance costs.

According to a survey from October, three-quarters of respondents believe the state of the economy are mediocre or bad, while just a quarter consider them good or excellent. Another poll showed that 61% of Americans feel the administration’s actions have “worsened economic conditions” in the country.

Financial Reality and Suggested Measures

Scott Bessent, Trump’s top economic official, lately disputed claims of a prosperous era. He stated that far from booming, certain sectors of the American economy “are in recession.” The manufacturing sector—which Trump vowed to save—appears to have contracted for eight months in a row and lost approximately tens of thousands of positions this year. Citing this weakness, Bessent called on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates—a move that could ease financial pressure.

In response to widespread concern about living costs, the president proposed a cash handout of “a dividend of at least $2,000 a person” excluding “high income people.” To numerous households in need, it seems like manna from heaven, but the prospects are dim that lawmakers—already alarmed about huge budget deficits—will approve such a plan. The scheme would likely increase federal spending, increase borrowing costs, and possibly fuel inflation by putting more money into consumers’ pockets.

Another proposed solution for affordability centered on introducing 50-year mortgages, with the notion that they could reduce monthly mortgage payments. But, the truth is that 50-year mortgages have minimal impact to reduce installments—often reducing them by just $100 or $200 per month. The downside is that these mortgages could significantly increase the overall cost homeowners pay and hinder their accumulation of equity.

Faulting the Previous Administration and Financial Prospects

As part of their affordability campaign, the administration have again blamed the previous president for financial challenges, including rising prices. Officials claimed they “inherited a disaster from Joe Biden” and were “addressing Biden’s inflation.” This is absurd and untruthful claims. In reality, the former president handed over a robust economic situation, with low price growth, economic growth strong, and unemployment low. But, Trump’s policies—particularly his tariffs—have resulted in an difficult situation, pushing up prices and slowing GDP growth.

Per Mark Zandi, lead analyst at a research firm, numerous regions are experiencing economic decline, with their economies damaged by the administration’s trade policies. Zandi worries that if key regions like major economies enter a downturn, the US could face a widespread recession. During recessions, consumers generally possess reduced funds to spend, and price increases usually declines. Sadly, with Trump’s much-ballyhooed cost initiative probably ineffective to hold down prices, his primary method for achieving increased affordability might end up triggering an economic contraction—a scenario that hard-pressed households cannot handle.