President Donald Trump told a campaign-style rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday that consumer prices are falling “tremendously,” aiming to ease widespread voter anxiety about the high cost of living.
“I have no higher priority than making America affordable again,” he told supporters at a casino in the critical battleground state, kicking off what the White House says will be a series of rallies to sell its economic record directly to voters.
However, the upbeat message clashes with the economic reality for many Americans. While prices for some items like gasoline and eggs have declined, the cost of other groceries remains high, and significant expenses like housing, healthcare, and childcare continue to strain household budgets.
At one point in his remarks, Trump again sought to downplay these concerns, portraying the affordability crisis as a Democratic “hoax.”
His administration has recently promoted a handful of policies as solutions, including removing tariffs from dozens of imported food items, rolling back fuel efficiency standards, and introducing Trump-branded retirement accounts for children.
The political stakes are high. Democrats have recently capitalized on economic discontent in state and local elections, leaving many Republicans uneasy about the upcoming midterms.
When asked by Politico what grade he would give the economy, Trump replied: “A plus-plus-plus-plus-plus.”
There are early signs the aggressive messaging push may be gaining some traction. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Trump’s approval rating rising three points to 41%, suggesting the White House’s policy pivot and campaign blitz might be starting to resonate.
By James Kisoo
