Five Statistics That Challenge Trump’s Affordability Claims

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Five Statistics That Challenge Trump’s Affordability Claims

During his recent State of the Union address, President Donald Trump sought to highlight his administration's economic achievements, with a particular focus on his purported efforts to lower prices and curb inflation. However, available public economic data suggest a contrasting narrative, challenging many of his assertions and prompting a closer examination of the numbers presented.

The President's address, his first since returning to the White House, came at a time when he faces scrutiny over his approval ratings, especially concerning his economic stewardship, which was once a key strength. A recent AP-NORC poll indicated that only about 39% of U.S. adults approve of his handling of economic issues, while 59% disapprove of his strategy.

Core Inflation: Claims vs. Reality

One of the most prominent claims made by Trump was that core inflation had been driven down to its lowest level in over five years, citing a figure of 1.7% for the last three months of 2025. While it's true that inflation has eased in recent months, federal data does not fully support such a dramatic decline. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, stood at 2.6% in November and December 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS noted that data for October 2025 were unavailable due to the federal government shutdown that began on October 1 and lasted until November 12. The source for Trump's 1.7% figure remains unclear.

Furthermore, inflation rates were already on a downward trend before Trump's return to the White House in January 2025. Core inflation, after peaking at 6.6% in 2022, had fallen to 3.2% by December 2024, according to BLS data. This suggests that the disinflationary trend predated his recent policy initiatives.

Food Prices: A Mixed Bag

President Trump also asserted that prices for many food items are "plummeting downward," specifically mentioning meat. "Even beef, which was very high, is starting to come down significantly. Just hold on a little while; we’re getting it down," he stated.

However, data indicates a different story for meat prices. Beef prices have been increasing since the beginning of the decade. Last year, the cost of ground beef reached record highs in the U.S., rising approximately 10% in June compared to the previous year. Steak prices increased by 12% in the same period. While the price of beef and veal saw a slight decrease of about 0.9% between December 2025 and January 2026, these items remain 15% more expensive in January 2026 than they were in January 2025, according to the BLS. The average price of ground beef in U.S. cities has continued to climb, reaching roughly $6.75 per pound in January 2026, up from $6.12 in June 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Similarly, steak prices are higher than they were a few months prior, despite a minor dip between December and January; the average price for a pound of uncooked beef steaks was around $12.30 last month, compared to approximately $11.49 in June.

Energy and Electricity Prices: Divergent Trends

Regarding energy prices, President Trump suggested a decline, likening it to "another big tax cut." However, data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that the residential retail price for electricity was 6% higher in December 2025 compared to December 2024. The BLS similarly found that electricity prices increased by 6.3% in January 2026 year-over-year, and utility gas service costs rose by 9.8% during the same period.

Conversely, some energy prices have indeed declined. According to BLS data, gasoline prices were down 7.5% in January 2026 compared to January 2025, and fuel oil prices fell by 4.2% in the same period. The national average gas price, as reported by AAA, currently stands at $2.983 per gallon, down from $3.134 a year ago.

Prescription Drugs: Claims of Reductions

The President lauded his administration for "ending the wildly inflated cost of prescription drugs." He claimed that his "Most-Favored Nation" agreements have led Americans to pay the "lowest price anywhere in the world" for drugs, citing price differences of 300% to 600% available on a new website, trumprx.gov.

While prescription drugs in the U.S. are significantly more expensive than in peer countries—brand-name medications costing over four times as much on average, according to a 2024 RAND report based on 2022 data—the claims of substantial price reductions warrant scrutiny. Although Trump's administration announced deals with pharmaceutical companies for voluntary price reductions, some industry experts doubt their effectiveness in significantly lowering prices for consumers. The TrumpRx website currently lists discounts for only about 40 brand-name medications. Furthermore, prices for medical care commodities, including drugs, medical equipment, and supplies, remained largely flat during Trump's first year in office, rising by only 0.3% between January 2025 and January 2026, according to the BLS.

It is also important to note that efforts to lower prescription drug costs were successfully enacted under former President Joe Biden through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

Car Prices: The Broader Picture

Trump included cars among items he claimed were "plummeting downward" in cost. "The cost of chicken, butter, fruit, hotels, automobiles, rent is lower today than when I took office by a lot," he stated.

However, average new car prices fluctuate. In September, the average price of a new car surpassed $50,000, a record high according to Kelley Blue Book estimates. While this figure decreased in October, industry experts cautioned in December about ongoing upward price pressures due to supply chain issues.

This analysis underscores the need for a closer look at the economic claims made during the State of the Union address, as available data suggest a more complex and often contradictory reality.

Ekhbary News Agency