By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Despite campaigning on lowering grocery, housing, and healthcare costs, President-elect Trump acknowledges the difficulty of this goal, a sentiment reflected in public opinion. A new poll reveals that only a small percentage of Americans are very confident in his ability to achieve these price reductions. While faith in his job creation capabilities is somewhat higher, overall confidence in his economic handling remains relatively low, even among Republicans. However, Republican support for Trump remains strong, with many expecting a successful second term, while Democratic negativity, although persistent, is somewhat less intense than previously.
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Most Americans doubt Trump will be able to bring down the costs of food, housing, and healthcare. This skepticism stems from a widespread belief that his campaign promises on these issues were largely superficial, serving primarily as tools to garner votes rather than reflecting genuine policy intentions.
Many feel that the 2020 election wasn’t fundamentally about economic anxieties, such as inflation or rising food prices, but rather a reflection of broader cultural and ideological divides. The focus was on the type of America voters envisioned, and for many, economic concerns were secondary to other factors.
The belief that Trump lacks both the will and the ability to address these pressing economic issues is prevalent. There’s a strong sense that he will not dedicate any significant effort or administrative resources to tackling the rising costs of essential goods and services. Instead, his actions may very well exacerbate these issues.
Many anticipate that any claimed economic successes under a Trump administration would likely be attempts to take credit for the existing economic conditions, rather than the result of any substantive policy changes. It’s widely believed that he will attribute any positive economic indicators to pre-existing trends or actions taken by previous administrations.
The proposed tariffs, for example, are viewed as likely to increase prices rather than lower them, directly contradicting his campaign promises. This reinforces the perception that his economic platform was disingenuous and designed to appeal to specific voter segments.
Many voters, particularly those who supported Trump, are seen as having prioritized cultural issues and identity politics over specific policy promises. Consequently, their voting decisions are interpreted as less about achieving specific economic improvements and more about broader social and political considerations.
The perception that Trump’s focus is on other matters, such as divisive social issues and self-serving actions, has significantly contributed to the lack of faith in his ability to tackle pressing economic challenges. Many believe his primary goal is to destabilize the country and benefit the already wealthy, rather than to improve the lives of everyday Americans.
It’s argued that the notion that Trump would effectively lower costs is fundamentally unrealistic. The belief that he could simply “flip a switch” and resolve these complex economic issues is considered naive and unrealistic by many observers. His priorities are widely seen as lying elsewhere.
In fact, some commentators believe that his actions might even actively increase costs and further harm the financial well-being of middle-class Americans. The argument is that this is not unintentional; it’s a calculated approach aimed at consolidating power and wealth.
The lack of faith extends beyond simply expecting inaction; many predict an active worsening of the situation. Claims of fixing the economy, coupled with simultaneous price increases, are anticipated as a strategy to deflect criticism and maintain support.
The very act of voting for Trump, given the skepticism around his economic platform, is viewed by many as illogical. The pervasive sense is that this voting pattern reveals a prioritization of other concerns over concrete economic improvement.
Ultimately, the prevalent sentiment is that most Americans doubt Trump’s ability to effectively lower costs for food, housing, and healthcare. This skepticism stems from a combination of perceived lack of interest, the belief that his actions may actually worsen the situation, and the understanding that his campaign promises on this front were merely a means to secure votes. The widespread belief is that he won’t even try.