By John Q. Hosedrinker 
While the Trump administration maintains that costs are declining, a recent Politico poll reveals voter skepticism, even among Trump supporters. Despite the White House blaming the current economic state on the previous administration, a significant portion of Trump voters still hold him responsible for the economy. Concerns are focused on rising prices, particularly for groceries, housing, and healthcare, while even wealthy households are struggling with affordability. The survey highlights growing unease as inflation persists, potentially impacting the upcoming midterm elections.
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So, let’s get right to it: Trump, the man who once called himself “THE AFFORDABILITY PRESIDENT,” is now calling the very concept of affordability a “Democrat scam” and a “con job.” This about-face is, to put it mildly, a bit jarring, especially considering that nearly three-quarters of his own voters are saying the cost of living is either “bad” or the “worst ever.”
This is like, mind-boggling, right? The guy ran on lowering prices, promising to fix the economy, essentially capitalizing on the very real anxieties people had about their wallets. Remember those campaign promises? He was going to slash prices “ON DAY ONE.” And now, he’s dismissing the entire issue as a Democratic ploy? It’s tough to wrap your head around. It makes you wonder how his supporters are supposed to think.
Let’s not forget the core of the problem here. Trump’s apparent detachment from everyday financial struggles is glaring. This is someone who has, by all accounts, never worried about the price of groceries, medication, or rent. He’s insulated from the reality that so many Americans face daily. How can someone who doesn’t understand the concept of “groceries” have any genuine insight into affordability?
He’s calling it a scam, essentially admitting he was playing a game. He was telling people what they wanted to hear. The classic play is to gaslight, to try and shift blame. Sadly, this kind of thing, these lies, have worked for him before. It’s a convenient lie, a way to wiggle out of a promise he made, and now has to deal with.
Of course, the economics of this are complex. It’s not a simple equation. But here’s the thing, people aren’t feeling it. They’re seeing the price of everything going up, while wages often stay stagnant. They’re making tough choices every day. Groceries, utilities, gas, insurance, home repairs – it’s all adding up and hitting their wallets hard. If the economy crashes on his watch, it’s just a Democratic scam.
The most frustrating part is that so many people are going to repeat everything he says, regardless of the facts. They’re going to ignore the price tags, the bills, the financial realities staring them in the face, and just repeat his new narrative. They will parrot the lies, the propaganda, and the blame game.
What’s even more wild is how this plays out politically. It doesn’t matter who’s in office; prices are going up. But, his supporters won’t blame him. They’ll likely blame the other guy, and they’ll keep on being mad about it. They’re going to cheer for his new narrative while simultaneously struggling to make ends meet. It’s like a bizarre form of cognitive dissonance.
The truth is, even with inflation slowing, the damage is done. The price hikes are here to stay. And the people who are struggling the most are also the most likely to defend him, even as they’re feeling the pinch.
The sad reality is, we are better off before him. Everything costs more. We are being asked to cheer on the mess that he and his cronies are making. We should be asking more of our elected leaders than this. We deserve better. The economy doesn’t lie. The grocery store shelves don’t lie.
It’s easy to dismiss these concerns, especially if you’re insulated from them. But for millions of Americans, these are daily struggles, realities that are now being dismissed as a “scam.” It’s a bitter pill to swallow when you’re already struggling to afford one.