By Gage Skidmore from Surprise
United States President Donald Trump has doubled down on claims that his administration is effectively tackling high prices, even as public frustration over the cost of living continues to grow.
Speaking on Monday to a gathering of McDonald’s franchise owners and suppliers, Trump took credit for returning inflation to what he described as “normal” levels and vowed to push price growth even lower. “We have it down to a low level, but we’re going to get it a little bit lower,” he said. “We want perfection.”
The president also promoted a series of measures aimed at easing affordability pressures, including a proposal to issue $2,000 rebate cheques funded by tariffs and the introduction of 50-year mortgage options.
Blames Biden, Says Americans “Lucky” He Won
Returning to a recurrent campaign theme, Trump blamed cost pressures on former President Joe Biden, claiming the current administration had inherited “a mess”. He insisted that Americans were “so damn lucky” he won the 2024 election.
Nobody has done what we’ve done in terms of pricing. We took over a mess,” Trump asserted, pointing to his presidential platform which centred heavily on affordability and economic stability.
Polls Show Americans Remain Sceptical
Despite Trump’s assertions, public sentiment appears unconvinced. According to an NBC News poll released this month, 66 percent of respondents said Trump had not met their expectations on tackling affordability, while 63 percent expressed disappointment with his broader economic performance.
Analysts have cited voter dissatisfaction with persistent price pressure as a key reason Republicans suffered major setbacks in off-year elections earlier this month across multiple states, including New Jersey and Virginia.
Tariffs At Odds With Price Control Claims
Although Trump has frequently played down the impact of his tariff policies on prices, he signed an executive order on Friday reducing duties on 200 food products, such as bananas, beef, coffee and orange juice.
Economists have long argued that tariffs contribute to inflation, yet Trump continues to present them as a tool to support domestic industry and fund public relief initiatives.
Inflation Falls, But Still Above Target
While inflation has dropped significantly since hitting a 40-year peak of 9.1 percent under Biden, it remains higher than the US Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. The inflation rate increased to 3 percent in October—its highest level since January. Some analysts had anticipated an even stronger reading due to ongoing trade disruptions caused by Trump’s latest tariff measures.
McDonald’s Applauded as Symbol of Economic Policy
Well known for his fondness for McDonald’s, Trump used the speech to praise the fast-food chain, describing it as reflective of his economic ambitions.
“Together we are fighting for an economy where everybody can win, from the cashier starting her first job to a franchisee opening their first location to the young family in a drive-through line,” he said.
Trump offered “special thanks” to the company for expanding its lower-cost options, referencing the reintroduction of extra value meals—originally discontinued in 2018—now priced at $5 or $8.
“We’re getting prices down for this country, and there’s no better leader or advocate than McDonald’s,” Trump concluded.
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