In a bold declaration on his Truth Social platform, US President Donald Trump has proclaimed that the nation's affordability crisis is now “dead,” pointing to a significant drop in the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner as proof of his economic success.
A Cheaper Holiday Feast?
President Trump, in a post on Thursday, November 6, directly cited retail behemoth Walmart to claim that the expense for a Thanksgiving meal in 2025 will be a staggering 25% lower compared to the cost during the same holiday in 2024 under the Biden administration. “2025 Thanksgiving dinner under Trump is 25% lower than 2024 Thanksgiving dinner under Biden, according to Walmart,” the President stated. This announcement comes just ahead of America's Thanksgiving celebration on November 27, 2025, which kicks off the festive season leading into the much-anticipated Black Friday sales.
The Stark Reality of Rising Prices
Despite the President's triumphant claims, a different economic narrative is unfolding for American consumers. Recent reports indicate that many citizens are feeling the pinch of persistent inflation. A Mint report, citing Lightspeed data, reveals a significant shift in consumer behaviour. It found that 23% of Americans are planning to use the holiday sales to stock up on everyday essentials like groceries and toiletries, highlighting budget-consciousness. Furthermore, 47% intend to split their spending between essential and discretionary items.
The financial pressure is substantiated by price tracking data. A New York Post report, using information from DataWeave, showed that prices at major retailers have continued to climb in 2025. Goods at Target have increased by 5.5%, while Walmart and Amazon have seen hikes of 5.3% and over 12%, respectively. This paints a picture of ongoing inflation concerns that contradict the White House's affordability message.
Trump's Defence and the Economic Data
In his social media post, President Trump aggressively defended his record, attributing lower costs broadly to his policies, with a specific focus on energy. “My cost are lower than the Democrats on everything, especially oil and gas! So the Democrats ‘affordability’ issue is DEAD! STOP LYING!!!” he exclaimed.
Official economic data presents a mixed bag. The US government's consumer inflation data for September 2025 registered a 3% rise over a 12-month period, slightly up from the 2.9% recorded in August 2025. This increase occurred amid a federal government shutdown. On a more positive note, the month-to-month increase slowed, with the overall cost rising at 0.3% in September compared to 0.4% in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, even as costs for shelter, air travel, and recreation moved higher.
The key takeaway for Indian observers of the US economy is this stark contrast: while the White House champions a victory on affordability through a cheaper holiday dinner, a substantial portion of the American public is grappling with higher prices for essential goods, forcing a more cautious approach to spending during the upcoming holiday season.
