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Trump touts economic progress at Pennsylvania rally
Former President Donald Trump told supporters in Pennsylvania that consumer costs are dropping "tremendously," aiming to ease concerns about affordability ahead of next year's elections. Speaking at a casino in the swing state, Trump declared reviving economic stability his top priority but faced pushback from voters struggling with rising expenses.
Mixed economic signals persist
While gasoline and egg prices have declined, other essentials like housing, childcare, and healthcare remain costly. Inflation stands at 3%, above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, though down from a 9.1% peak under President Joe Biden. Prices have climbed 25% over five years, outpacing wage growth for many Americans.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates to 3.9% this year, with markets expecting further reductions. Trump's administration has rolled back tariffs on food imports, relaxed fuel efficiency rules, and introduced retirement accounts for children as cost-saving measures.
Voters divided on economic policies
Trump's economic approval rating rose to 41% in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, but many remain dissatisfied. Alaina Hunt, 37, lost her job as a construction designer in Oklahoma City after Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs disrupted the industry. Now spending $25 more weekly on groceries, she criticized the administration's response: "I don't think the federal government is listening at all."
Beth Richardson, 45, from Kansas, echoed frustrations after losing her tech sales job in 2023. She blamed Trump's tariffs for offshoring and cited a $5 pack of gum as an example of runaway prices. "I'm like, I'm just going to go die now because this cannot be," she said.
Supporters defend Trump's approach
Despite economic strains, some backers remain loyal. John Mohring, 60, a Wisconsin construction worker, spends $100 weekly on groceries but supports Trump's tariffs and border policies. "I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt," he said.
Farmers like Brad Smith, whose soybean sales to China collapsed during trade disputes, received a $12 billion aid package this week. Smith still backs Trump's "America First" agenda, calling it a long-term benefit despite short-term losses.
Economic data offers no clear verdict
Consumer confidence hit a six-month low in November, though the stock market nears record highs. Growth is projected at 1.9% this year, down from 2.8% in 2024, while hiring shows signs of recovery after a mid-year slowdown.
At the rally, Trump insisted prices were "coming down tremendously," though economists note inflation is merely slowing, not reversing. With prices still 25% higher than five years ago, the debate over economic recovery remains sharply polarized.
