Sometimes it really can be this simple and Democrats fumbled badly.
In his victory speech following his White House win, President Donald Trump made it clear that two key issues helped propel him to the presidency: “I won on the border, and I won on groceries.”
During a recent interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump elaborated on the critical importance of grocery prices to voters. “Groceries,” he said, are something that resonate with everyday Americans. “When you go to the store and you see apples, bacon, eggs—prices skyrocketing—people are feeling it,” Trump remarked, adding that the soaring cost of basic necessities played a pivotal role in his election victory.
Despite inflation cooling somewhat since its peak in 2022, grocery prices continue to remain significantly higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that grocery bills are up by 22% since President Biden took office. For many voters, this rise in prices is a constant frustration, and it was one of the key factors that shaped their decision at the ballot box.
According to the Fox News Voter Analysis of the 2024 election, nearly 40% of voters said inflation was the single most important issue influencing their vote, with many of those backing Trump by nearly a two-to-one margin. Voters overwhelmingly cited the economy as their top concern, followed by immigration and abortion—issues that Trump has consistently championed.
On the campaign trail, Trump was unrelenting in his critique of the Biden-Harris administration’s economic policies. “Grocery prices have gone through the roof,” Trump declared during an August press conference. “When I win, I will immediately start bringing prices down. Day one.”
In his Meet the Press interview, Trump doubled down on his promise to address the rising costs. “We’re going to bring those prices way down,” he said.
However, Trump also reiterated his plan to impose tariffs on imports from major trading partners, a policy he believes will protect American workers and bring down costs over time. While Vice President Harris has criticized this approach, arguing it would drive up prices, Trump stood firm. When asked if he could guarantee that his tariffs wouldn’t increase costs for American consumers, he responded, “I can’t guarantee anything,” but emphasized that his administration would focus on creating a fairer, more competitive economy.
For many Americans, Trump’s promises to tackle inflation and make life more affordable hit a chord, particularly as they continue to struggle with the rising cost of everyday goods. Whether through direct action on tariffs or through broader economic reforms, Trump is betting that his commitment to reducing prices will resonate with voters who are feeling the financial squeeze.