Inflation is on the rise and consumers are taking notice. Despite this, the Trump administration is doing little to address the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and, in fact, is pushing policies that will likely drive prices up even further. In a new MSNBC op-ed, Groundwork’s Chief of Policy and Advocacy Alex Jacquez argues that the administration never cared about lowering prices, and would rather advance the interests of billionaires and massive corporations:
“If Trump were serious about lowering prices, then he’d be working to ensure that the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share in taxes, not receive a massive giveaway. He’d be cracking down on monopolies and large corporations that use their market power to profit off consumers, not shutting down the agency that protects them.
“Unfortunately, it appears that Trump has pulled off another con job. Only this time, instead of the Atlantic City casinos left holding the bag, it’s American families.”
Email press@groundworkcollaborative.org to speak with one of Groundwork’s experts about the high cost of living and efforts to lower inflation.
EXCERPTS
“A CNN exit poll showed that 75% of voters experienced some hardship or severe hardship due to inflation, and those voters broke decisively for Trump and pulled the lever for him in the expectation that he’d address their concerns. Despite this expectation, the Trump administration’s early focus has been everywhere else but on the pocketbooks of American consumers.”
“It may be unfair to hold a new administration accountable for broad-based price increases mere weeks after taking office. But Trump invited the criticism. Weeks before the election, he posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the prices of eggs and gas are ‘OUT OF CONTROL!!!’ and he promised that on ‘DAY ONE’ he would ‘SLASH prices–so fast it’ll make their heads spin.’”
“He consistently claimed he had a plan to bring down prices; now it’s clear that he’s stiffing the people he promised like so many lawyers and contractors before them.”
“Americans are already taking notice. In a poll this week by YouGov/CBS News, a whopping 66% of voters said Trump’s focus on lowering prices was ‘not enough.’ Consumer sentiment nosedived in February, falling to its lowest levels since July.”
“Far from being geared to bring prices down, Trump’s early policy priorities are likely to add to inflation. His indiscriminate, broad-based tariff agenda is so extreme that even the International Machinists Union, usually a strong supporter of tariffs, warned that his plans would hurt workers and consumers.”
“On Thursday, the House Budget Committee advanced a budget resolution that would cut at least $4.5 trillion in taxes, mostly for the wealthy and large corporations, which would overstimulate the economy and fan the flames of inflation.”
“Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency have waged a war on government workers, including the inspectors and scientists who monitor chickens — as an avian flu outbreak wreaks havoc on our egg supply.”