American President Donald Trump faces growing public skepticism as his claims of declining prices clash with the harsh reality experienced by millions of Americans at grocery stores and utility bills. Despite the President's repeated assertions that costs are "way down," recent polling data reveals a stark disconnect between White House rhetoric and household budgets.
The Polling Reality Check
A comprehensive Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll delivers troubling news for the administration, showing that 62% of Americans disapprove of Trump's economic management, a significant jump from 53% in February. The survey, conducted in November 2025, highlights the tangible pressure families face with 71% of respondents reporting higher grocery costs compared to last year, while nearly 60% note increased utility expenses.
Trump's economic strategy, heavily centered on tariffs, appears to be losing public confidence as everyday expenses continue climbing. The President's recent comments about Thanksgiving meal costs being 25% lower than under the Biden administration have drawn particular scrutiny for their selective presentation of data.
The Thanksgiving Claim Unpacked
While Trump boasts about Walmart's $40 Thanksgiving meal being $15 cheaper than last year, this comparison overlooks a crucial detail: the current meal contains six fewer items. Consumers actively managing household budgets quickly notice such reductions in quantity despite apparent price drops.
The actual price data reveals a different story entirely. According to the Purdue University College of Agriculture, turkey prices have skyrocketed by 75% since last October, jumping from 94 cents per pound to $1.71 per pound. Ground coffee costs have surged 40% over the past year, while ground beef reached $6.32 per pound—a 14% increase from last year and a record high according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Overall grocery prices have increased 2.7% from a year ago according to the latest Consumer Price Index, with a 1.4% rise since January. While some items like eggs have seen price reductions, the broader trend continues upward, contradicting presidential assurances.
Political Consequences and Internal Concerns
The economic discontent appears to have translated into electoral consequences, with Republicans suffering losses in recent elections. Trump attributed these setbacks to the ongoing government shutdown and his absence from the ballot, but many analysts point to affordability concerns as the primary driver.
Other administration figures seem to recognize the political danger. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has projected a 2026 economic turnaround with tax rebate checks and manufacturing job growth. Vice President J.D. Vance acknowledged the need for affordability improvements in social media posts reacting to election results, while White House deputy chief of staff James Blair told Politico that Trump would become "very, very focused on prices and cost of living" moving forward.
The administration's luxury expenditures—including gold drapery in the White House, marble bathroom renovations, and a Gatsby-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago—contrast sharply with policies that have delayed food assistance to needy Americans during the longest government shutdown in US history. The administration has also refused to negotiate with Democrats to prevent Affordable Care Act premium increases and left thousands without access to Head Start child care programs.
October's job market added to the economic anxiety, with employers cutting over 150,000 positions—the largest reduction for that month in more than two decades according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
As Republicans look toward the 2026 and 2028 elections, the party's fortunes may depend on whether Trump acknowledges the economic reality most Americans experience daily. With the President off future ballots but his party and likely Vice President Vance still competing, continued dismissal of voter concerns about rising costs could cement the perception that the administration doesn't understand or care about ordinary financial struggles.
