Trump: Cost of Living Concerns Are ‘Fake’

President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday dismissed growing concerns about the cost of living, characterizing the focus on affordability as a “con job.” According to remarks reported by the New York Times, Trump argued that Democrats have manufactured a “fake narrative” to sway voters. “They just say the word. It doesn’t mean anything to anybody. They just say it — affordability,” he said, while again insisting he inherited “the worst inflation in history” from President Biden and deserves credit for economic improvements.

The comments marked a notable shift from just days earlier, when Trump called himself the “affordability president” and highlighted efforts he said were aimed at lowering prices. He had also discussed the issue with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a recent Oval Office meeting, acknowledging at the time that rising costs resonate deeply with voters. By Tuesday, however, Trump had returned to accusing Democrats of seizing on the issue purely for political advantage.

Analysts note that Trump risks appearing disconnected from public sentiment, as polls consistently show affordability ranking among voters’ top concerns. A recent CBS–YouGov survey found that 58% of Americans believe prices are still rising. Another poll from Yahoo–YouGov reported that 49% of respondents feel Trump has done more to increase prices than reduce them. While Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for lowering inflation, he has largely sidestepped recent increases in consumer costs. “There’s always more to do,” he said Tuesday, “but we have it down to a very good level.”

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