Former President Donald Trump’s rally this Tuesday evening in Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district is proof of that. As economic worries about the increasing cost of living set in with voters, he’ll need to defend his economic record. This makes this year’s event particularly timely. Just this week, new inflation figures were released indicating the US inflation rate has now dropped to 3% for the first time since January, adding to voters’ worries about economic security and rising costs of living.
During the rally, Trump is expected to tackle issues related to the increasing prices of essential items, including gasoline and groceries. The former president’s preoccupations are informed by a new Politico poll. Perhaps most shocking was finding that a majority of all voters and four-in-ten of the aforementioned Trump supporters headed into the election of 2024 feel that the cost of living is the highest it’s ever been.
On Monday, Trump unveiled a $12 billion farm aid package intended to assist farmers impacted by low crop prices and tariffs. This announcement is a clear indication of his commitment to addressing the challenges that agriculture faces today. His administration’s tariffs, especially the 50% tariff on coffee, have made life extremely expensive. Every commodity has seen its price multiplied by two or three times.
Yet the economic picture is something more than chasing a check. The mood of consumers, confidence in the future, is at its crater level since April. Voters are understandably anxious about inflation, which has created a real anger among voters over increasing costs.
If so, to allay these concerns we can expect Trump to point to a number of demonstrations. The President says that these actions will ease fiscal burdens on American families. As the EPA administrator, he’s launched most of them. These comprise a prescription drug price reduction, relaxation of vehicle fuel efficiency standards, extension of past tax cuts, and new tax benefits, all passed with his “One Big Beautiful Bill” which he signed back in July.
As the son of a farmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro thinks Trump’s policies have caused real damage to both farmers and manufacturers. As a consequence, prices for America’s consumers have skyrocketed. He stated:
“I want to make sure that we’re setting the record straight, showing how his policies are screwing over farmers and manufacturers, making stuff cost more every day.” – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Shapiro elaborated on the tangible effects of rising prices on everyday items:
“Folks can’t unsee what they see when they go to the grocery store, which is that beef and O.J. and bread and the normal staples that they need in their homes, those prices have dramatically increased on Donald Trump’s watch.” – Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Despite this flip flop, Trump’s campaign is still repeating the false claim that it’s Democrats who are to blame for today’s affordability crisis. He remarked:
“But the Democrats caused the affordability problem and we’re the ones that are fixing it.” – Donald Trump
For example, Trump points to drops in prices for specific goods, like eggs and gas. He is under fire on the home front with the rising cost of other kitchen staples. The agricultural sector is perhaps the most vulnerable sector, with extreme labor shortages being made worse by the loss of Trump’s illegal immigration enforcement. According to some estimates, up to 40% of agricultural workers in the U.S. are undocumented.
“Putting an end to Joe Biden’s inflation and affordability crisis has been a Day One priority for President Trump.” – White House spokesman Kush Desai
As Trump prepares for his rally in Pennsylvania, he will likely emphasize his administration’s accomplishments while confronting criticisms regarding the economic challenges facing American families today. He aims to reassure voters that his policies can provide relief from the pressures of inflation and high living costs.
As Trump prepares for his rally in Pennsylvania, he will likely emphasize his administration’s accomplishments while confronting criticisms regarding the economic challenges facing American families today. He aims to reassure voters that his policies can provide relief from the pressures of inflation and high living costs.