Blue Press Journal

Tag: cost of living in America

  • Trump’s Economic Policies Are Costing American Families Thousands – The Numbers Don’t Lie

    In Response to todays Trump News Conference

    Blue Press Journal – While former President Donald Trump made headlines with bizarre distractions like his public musings about buying Greenland, the real story for American households was happening in their wallets. A new congressional analysis reveals that under Trump’s leadership, U.S. families faced sharp increases in the cost of living, directly tied to his economic agenda and trade strategies. 

    According to a recent report from the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), the average U.S. household paid $1,625 more in 2025 for everyday essentials. These rising costs were not random — they were the result of Trump’s tariffs, housing market pressures, and broader economic mismanagement (Joint Economic Committee, 2025). 

    The Real Impact: Higher Prices for Housing, Transportation, and Groceries

    Breaking down the numbers, the JEC found that housing expenses rose by an average of $323 per family, transportation costs climbed by $241, and grocery bills surged across the country. For residents of states like Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, the hit was even harder — more than $2,000 in additional annual costs. 

    The cause? Trump’s tariff-heavy trade policy, which he claimed would punish foreign exporters but in practice acted as a hidden tax on American consumers. Independent economic analyses, including research from the Center for American Progress, confirm that U.S. businesses and families bore nearly the entire cost of these tariffs (CAP, 2025). 

    The Inflation Reality Check

    Trump has repeatedly boasted that he “ended inflation” and claimed prices are falling. The data tells a different story. In December 2025, inflation was still running at 2.7% year-over-year, with prices continuing to climb month to month (CNN Fact Check). For working families, this meant that paychecks stretched less, and basic necessities became more expensive — despite the White House’s rosy rhetoric. 

    Economic Uncertainty Hurts Families

    Economists warn that tariffs not only raise consumer prices but also create uncertainty for businesses, slowing investment and job growth. This uncertainty compounds the financial strain on households, particularly in industries reliant on global supply chains. 

    Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) criticized the administration’s “reckless” economic approach, pointing out that tariffs, higher healthcare costs, and policy unpredictability have all contributed to the squeeze on American families. 

    The Takeaway: The “Greatest Economy” Myth

    Trump’s claims of delivering “the greatest first year in history” simply don’t match the lived reality of American families. The hard truth is that his economic policies functioned as a tax on the middle class, without delivering the promised benefits. 

  • Rising Costs Show Trump Administration’s Failure to Deliver Affordability for Americans

    Rising Food & Housing Costs Under Trump: Americans Struggle as Prices Climb

    Blue Press Journal – The Trump administration has repeatedly promised to put “America First” and make life more affordable for working families. Yet the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a starkly different picture: Americans are paying more for food, housing, and essential services, while wages have not kept pace with rising costs. 

    In December, food prices jumped 0.7% in just one month and are now 3.1% higher than a year ago. The food at home index rose 2.4% year-over-year, while food away from home skyrocketed 4.1%. For many households, this means weekly grocery bills have surged, straining budgets already stretched thin. Meats, poultry, and fish are up a staggering 6.9% compared to last year, hitting families who rely on protein staples. 

    Even though egg prices fell by 20.9% due to easing supply shortages, the overall food inflation trend reveals a troubling reality: under Trump’s leadership, the cost of feeding a family has gone up substantially. Fruits and vegetables climbed 0.5% both monthly and annually, further eroding affordability for healthy diets. 

    Housing and Energy Costs Continue to Rise

    Housing — the largest monthly expense for most Americans — increased 0.4% in December and is now 3.2% higher than last year. The shelter index was the single biggest driver of December’s overall CPI increase. Tenants’ and household insurance costs rose 1% in December and have soared 8.2% over the past year, adding to the burden on renters and homeowners alike. 

    Energy prices also moved higher, up 0.3% for the month and 2.3% year-over-year. Gas prices fell slightly in December, but electricity costs have surged 6.7% in the past year, making utilities more expensive for households already dealing with rising rents and food bills. 

    Trump’s Ford Plant Visit Highlights Misplaced Priorities

    While Americans are struggling to afford everyday necessities, President Trump chose to visit a Ford manufacturing plant today — a trip heavy on political optics but light on solutions for skyrocketing consumer costs. Instead of addressing the immediate economic pain caused by rising food, housing, and utility prices, the administration continues to focus on photo opportunities and corporate relationships. 

    For families facing higher grocery bills, mounting rent, and growing insurance costs, these visits do little to address the underlying affordability crisis. The Ford plant trip underscores a broader pattern: prioritizing headlines over policies that actually reduce costs for everyday Americans. 

    The Bottom Line

    The latest inflation data confirms what many households already feel — under the Trump administration, the cost of living continues to climb while relief remains out of reach. From the kitchen table to utility bills and rent payments, Americans are paying more and getting less. 

    Real leadership requires more than speeches and factory tours; it demands concrete measures to bring down prices and make life affordable. Until the administration shifts its focus from corporate showcases to the needs of ordinary citizens, the affordability gap will continue to widen.