Trump denies inflation as Americans struggle with rising costs

Nearly a year after regaining the presidency, Donald Trump is facing growing voter frustration over stubbornly high prices — even as he continues to insist that the cost of living is falling. Despite campaign promises to “make America affordable again,” inflation remains a pressing concern across the United States, with food, housing, and energy costs all climbing.

Trump’s tariffs and trade policies have drawn criticism from economists who say they’re worsening price pressures. But the president has repeatedly rejected that view, claiming instead that reports of inflation are fabricated by political opponents and the media. “Our energy costs are way down. Our groceries are way down. Everything is way down and the press doesn’t report it,” Trump said at the White House last week.

Government data tells a different story. The latest Consumer Price Index shows grocery prices up 2.7% from a year earlier and 1.4% higher since Trump took office in January. Housing has risen 3.6%, medical care 3.9%, car insurance 3.1%, and electricity 5.1%. These increases have left many households struggling, with pollsters reporting that affordability remains one of voters’ top concerns.

During a Fox News interview, host Laura Ingraham asked Trump whether affordability issues influenced recent election results in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City. Trump dismissed the question, calling inflation “a con job by the Democrats” and shifting the discussion to his polling advantage over Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

The president also claimed that a Thanksgiving meal this year will cost 25% less than last year — a statement contradicted by analysts who note that the cheaper Walmart meal bundle he cited is smaller than before.

As Trump doubles down on denial, political observers say his administration risks losing credibility on an issue that helped propel him back to power. For many Americans, rising grocery bills, energy costs, and rent hikes tell a story that no amount of spin can obscure.