MAGA World never expected this rift.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is taking direct aim at President Donald Trump’s recent claim that grocery prices are dropping — warning that many working Americans still feel crushed by rising costs of food, energy, and rent.
“I personally do my own grocery shopping,” Greene said during her Thursday interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. “Prices at the store are still steep, energy costs haven’t gone down, and my power bills — both in Washington, D.C., and back home in Rome, Georgia — are higher now than they were last year.”
Greene said the issue of affordability isn’t just political — it’s personal. “Affordability is a major problem,” she said. “I worry about my children’s generation the most. They’re having a very hard time.”
The Georgia Republican, one of Trump’s most loyal allies in Congress, said she constantly hears from voters who are struggling to keep up. “People are maxing out credit cards just to buy groceries and pay rent,” she said. “That’s not sustainable, and they’re frustrated.”
Economic Pain Still a Real Concern
Greene tied the recent Republican election losses to everyday Americans’ economic stress. “The cost of living crisis is real, and it’s hurting families everywhere,” she said. “That frustration played a major role in this week’s elections.”
While she credited President Trump for cooling off the record inflation that exploded under Joe Biden, Greene said housing and rent prices are still sky-high. “The American Dream is slipping away for too many,” she added.
Democrats, meanwhile, have used the affordability crisis to push for more government control. In New York City, socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani promised free bus rides and new spending programs, while Democratic winners in Virginia and New Jersey campaigned on taxpayer-funded relief plans that critics say only make inflation worse.
Trump Fires Back
President Trump has repeatedly defended his economic record, saying that under his leadership, energy costs and gas prices are dropping thanks to his America-First policies.
Ahead of Election Day, Trump wrote on Truth Social:
“If affordability is your issue, VOTE REPUBLICAN!”
After GOP setbacks, he doubled down, writing:
“My prices beat the Democrats’ across the board — particularly when it comes to oil and gas. Their so-called ‘affordability crisis’ is over. Quit spreading lies!”
Trump remains confident that his economic policies — built on energy independence and trade leverage — will continue driving prices down long-term.
Republicans Divided But Focused
While Greene’s remarks created tension within the party, other prominent Republicans like Vice President J.D. Vance and Ohio Governor-elect Vivek Ramaswamy agree that affordability remains a defining issue.
“We’re going to keep working to make life affordable for working Americans,” Vance said. “That’s the test by which we’ll be judged heading into 2026 and beyond.”
Bottom Line
Even as Trump touts his success on inflation, Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene are reminding Washington that millions of Americans still feel squeezed by high prices at the grocery store, the gas pump, and their utility bills.
Both leaders may be right — inflation has slowed, but affordability remains the kitchen-table issue that will decide America’s future.