Speaking at a campaign-style rally held at a casino in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state, Trump said he had “no higher priority than making America affordable again.”
While the cost of fuel and eggs has eased, many Americans continue to struggle with rising prices for housing, healthcare, childcare, and most groceries.
These concerns have become a political vulnerability for Trump, with Democrats leveraging the issue in recent state and city elections. The trend has left some Republicans uneasy ahead of next year’s midterm contests.
Tuesday’s rally marked the start of a series of events the White House says will highlight Trump’s economic agenda.
Tuesday’s rally marked the start of a series of events the White House says will highlight Trump’s economic agenda.
But in his speech, Trump again dismissed concerns over affordability as a Democratic “hoax.”
The administration blames former President Joe Biden and high interest rates for ongoing economic pain.
The Federal Reserve has cut rates twice this year to 3.9%, with expectations of another cut soon. Even so, inflation remains stuck at 3%, above the 2% target.
In recent weeks, the White House has lifted tariffs on dozens of food items and touted policy changes like rolling back fuel efficiency standards and launching Trump-branded retirement accounts for children as measures aimed at easing household costs.
Asked by Politico what grade he would give the US economy, Trump replied:
“A plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.”
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows his approval rating up three points to 41%, suggesting the message may be resonating with some voters.
Despite strong stock market performance and economic growth projected at 1.9% this year, many Americans remain frustrated.
Alaina Hunt, a 37-year-old designer from Oklahoma City who lost her job in April, said tariffs on steel and aluminium hurt the construction sector where she worked.
She said grocery prices now cost her an extra Ksh 3,200 per week, adding:
“I was able to scrape by a lot easier in years before. I don’t think the federal government is listening at all.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, rejected Trump’s claims that prices are dropping.
“His view does not reflect the reality on the ground,” he told CBS News, arguing that Trump’s policies have hurt the very communities that helped elect him.
Trump told supporters that prices are “coming down tremendously.”
In recent weeks, the White House has lifted tariffs on dozens of food items and touted policy changes like rolling back fuel efficiency standards and launching Trump-branded retirement accounts for children as measures aimed at easing household costs.
Asked by Politico what grade he would give the US economy, Trump replied:
“A plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.”
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows his approval rating up three points to 41%, suggesting the message may be resonating with some voters.
Despite strong stock market performance and economic growth projected at 1.9% this year, many Americans remain frustrated.
Alaina Hunt, a 37-year-old designer from Oklahoma City who lost her job in April, said tariffs on steel and aluminium hurt the construction sector where she worked.
She said grocery prices now cost her an extra Ksh 3,200 per week, adding:
“I was able to scrape by a lot easier in years before. I don’t think the federal government is listening at all.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, rejected Trump’s claims that prices are dropping.
“His view does not reflect the reality on the ground,” he told CBS News, arguing that Trump’s policies have hurt the very communities that helped elect him.
Trump told supporters that prices are “coming down tremendously.”
However, economists note that prices are not falling; rather, the rate of increase has slowed — a trend known as disinflation.
Inflation stood at 3% in September, the same level as in January when Trump took office. Prices remain far above pre-inflation surge levels, having risen 25% over the past five years.
Many stressed Americans report daily shocks:
Beth Richardson, 45, from Kansas, said she was stunned when a pack of gum cost nearly $5.
Laid off last year, she blames Trump’s tariffs, saying they are “shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Tariffs Divide Voters
Trump defended his tariffs at the rally, calling them his “favourite word” and pointing to billions in revenue collected from import taxes.
Some supporters remain loyal despite higher prices.
Inflation stood at 3% in September, the same level as in January when Trump took office. Prices remain far above pre-inflation surge levels, having risen 25% over the past five years.
Many stressed Americans report daily shocks:
Beth Richardson, 45, from Kansas, said she was stunned when a pack of gum cost nearly $5.
Laid off last year, she blames Trump’s tariffs, saying they are “shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Tariffs Divide Voters
Trump defended his tariffs at the rally, calling them his “favourite word” and pointing to billions in revenue collected from import taxes.
Some supporters remain loyal despite higher prices.
John Mohring, a 60-year-old construction worker from Wisconsin, says he spends Ksh 12,000 on groceries for one person and rarely buys meat — yet still backs Trump’s trade and border policies.
Others, like Illinois farmer Brad Smith, have felt the pain more directly. China froze soybean purchases earlier this year due to a trade dispute, hurting his income.
Others, like Illinois farmer Brad Smith, have felt the pain more directly. China froze soybean purchases earlier this year due to a trade dispute, hurting his income.
But after a recent US–China deal, the market has begun to recover. Trump also announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers.
Smith said he still believes in Trump’s broader economic strategy:
“The whole America First idea is good.”
Smith said he still believes in Trump’s broader economic strategy:
“The whole America First idea is good.”
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