Trump Praises Lower Prices Even as People Remain Frustrated About Rising Living Costs:

President Donald Trump on Monday vigorously defended his administration’s handling of inflation, attempting to reassure Americans who remain worried about the rising cost of living. Speaking at a gathering of McDonald’s franchise owners and suppliers, Trump said his team had brought inflation back to “normal” levels and promised to push prices even lower. “We have it down to a low level, but we’re going to get it a little bit lower,” Trump said. “We want perfection.” Throughout the speech, Trump returned to a familiar theme, criticizing Democrats—particularly former President Joe Biden—for what he described as years of economic mismanagement. He argued that he inherited “a mess” and insisted that Americans were “so damn lucky” he won the 2024 election. But despite his confident tone, many Americans remain unconvinced. A recent NBC News poll shows that concerns about affordability are still top of mind: 66 percent of respondents said Trump has not met their expectations on cost-of-living issues, while 63 percent expressed disappointment with his handling of the overall economy. Analysts say this frustration over prices likely contributed to Republican losses in off-year elections this month in states like New Jersey and Virginia. In an effort to counter growing voter dissatisfaction, Trump signed an executive order on Friday lowering tariffs on 200 food items, including everyday essentials like beef, bananas, coffee, and orange juice. He has also floated additional ideas such as $2,000 rebate checks funded by tariff revenue and even the possibility of 50-year mortgages to make homeownership more attainable. Inflation, while much lower than the 9.1 percent peak recorded during Biden’s term, remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target. The rate rose to 3 percent in October—the first time it has touched that level since January. Although analysts had braced for a sharper increase due to Trump’s recent trade measures, the number still highlights the ongoing pressure on household budgets. Trump also took time during his speech to praise McDonald’s, a brand he has long been known to enjoy. He thanked the company for reintroducing extra value meals priced at $5 and $8, saying such moves align with his administration’s focus on affordability. “We’re getting prices down for this country,” Trump said. “And there’s no better leader or advocate than McDonald’s.

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