President Donald Trump is eager to highlight recent inflation statistics, which show that inflation remained steady last month. In a social media post on Tuesday morning, he stated, “JUST OUT: Great (LOW!) Inflation numbers for the USA.” This comes after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released figures indicating that the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—a key indicator of costs for everyday essentials such as gasoline, groceries, and rent—edged up 0.3% on a monthly basis in December, holding steady at 2.7% year-over-year. Core CPI, excluding volatile items like food and energy, rose 0.2% from November to December and 2.6% from the previous year.
The timing of this report matters. It arrived as the Trump administration is grappling with widespread public concern over affordability issues, which have lingered amid high inflation. “We’ll be talking about how well the economy is doing. As you know, the inflation numbers just came out, and we have very low inflation,” Trump remarked during a speech at the White House shortly after the report was released. His comments came just before he headed to Michigan, a crucial state for upcoming elections, to further discuss his administration’s efforts to curb rising prices.
With the elections of 2024 behind them, Republicans celebrated significant victories, reclaiming the White House and Senate while maintaining their majority in the House. Yet, Democrats contend they have not been idle. They argue that their success in last year’s midterm elections stemmed from a strong focus on affordability—an approach that resonated with voters. Democratic National Committee Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer criticized Trump, stating, “Donald Trump is already failing to deliver on his promise of an affordable 2026,” pointing out that working families continue to struggle.
While recent CPI figures offered a slight boost to Trump’s narrative of improved affordability, they fell short of what some economists expected. Ongoing inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s target, which suggests policymakers might contemplate further interest rate cuts, a move Trump has been advocating.
Despite differing perspectives, Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters asserted that Trump’s administration has prioritized affordability. He pointed to the “Big Beautiful Bill,” highlighting that it eliminates taxes on tips, Social Security, and overtime. “Look at gas prices. The lowest prices since 2021. Look at egg prices. Real pocketbook issues that impact everyday Americans that the president is focused on,” Gruters emphasized, insisting that Trump’s policies will resonate with voters in upcoming elections.
On the opposite side, Democrats remain vocal. DNC Chair Ken Martin bluntly stated, “S‑‑- is too expensive,” reflecting the frustrations echoed by voters grappling with high living costs. As cost of living issues have predominantly shaped the political landscape over the last couple of years, public concern remains high, as evidenced by a Fox News national poll indicating widespread unease about rising prices.
Veteran Republican strategist Ryan Williams noted, “Affordability has been a major issue since inflation spiked after the pandemic. President Biden wasn’t able to contain inflation and the Democrats suffered at the polls in 2024.” While pointing to Trump’s year in office, he emphasized that reducing inflation is a process that will not yield instant results.
As Democrats reflect on previous electoral successes, strategist Chris Moyer emphasized their shift in focus: “Democrats flipped the script from 2024 and focused like a laser on affordability, whether that was healthcare, groceries, electricity, utility bills.” Moyer stressed that voters remain acutely aware of cost of living issues, indicating the challenges and complexities that lie ahead for both parties as they prepare for future contests.
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