Trump Dismisses Cost of Living Concerns, But Most Voters Agree It's a Problem

President Donald Trump has continued to downplay concerns over the rising cost of living, labeling it a "Democrat scam" and a "con job" during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. However, a recent Politico poll found that nearly three-quarters of his voters believe the cost of living is either bad or the worst it has ever been. According to the poll, 37% of Americans who voted for Trump in 2024 believe the cost of living is the worst they can ever remember, while 34% say it is bad but can think of other times when it was worse. This perception stands in contrast to Trump's assertion that costs are coming down, with the White House pointing to decreases in gasoline prices as evidence of his administration's efforts to address affordability concerns. The White House has also attributed the current state of the economy to President Joe Biden's policies, stating that Trump inherited an inflationary economy from his predecessor. However, the poll found that 57% of Trump voters believe Biden still bears full or almost full responsibility for the current state of the economy, while 25% blame Trump completely or almost completely. Trump's comments on affordability have been met with skepticism from many of his voters, who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of rising costs. "The word affordability is a Democrat scam," Trump said during the cabinet meeting. However, the poll suggests that many of his voters are not buying this message, with a significant majority expressing concerns about the cost of living. The issue of affordability has been a major concern for voters in recent elections, with Republicans facing significant losses in off-year elections last month. Despite this, Trump has continued to downplay the issue, contrasting with his message during the 2024 campaign, when he emphasized the need to address rising costs and improve the economy. The annual rate of consumer inflation has steadily picked up since Trump launched his global trade war in April, leading to increased costs for many Americans. The poll suggests that many of Trump's voters are feeling the pinch, with a significant majority expressing concerns about the cost of living. As the economy continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how Trump's administration will address the concerns of his voters. The White House has announced plans to implement policies aimed at reducing costs and improving the economy, but it remains to be seen whether these efforts will be enough to alleviate the concerns of Trump's voters.