Full Breakdown
Beef Prices Surge and USDA Secretary’s Controversial Remarks
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Drivers of Beef Costs
Record-high beef prices have been linked to a severe drought, a shrinking cattle herd and rising farming expenses, according to Scripps News. The Trump administration’s tariffs on imports—including beef—and import restrictions tied to parasite concerns have also been cited as contributing factors. Social-media users have labeled Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins “ridiculously out of touch” after her comments on the issue.
Rollins’ Appearance on *The Benny Show*
“It’s like, the gas price, the steak price — no good. What are we doing about that?” — Benny Johnson Johnson also noted a prior call from President Donald Trump, saying, “I know that Trump called you about the price of a Big Mac.” “I know that Trump called you about the price of a Big Mac,” — Benny Johnson Rollins replied that the call was not about beef, stating, “Well, it’s interesting. For the first time in, I think, six months, that’s not what he called me about.” “Well, it’s interesting. “Beef is lower by 5 percent, so we are trending in the right direction.” “But if it is too expensive, unlike fuel, Benny, you can eat chicken, pork, salmon, eggs; there are other sources of really good protein, and all of those prices are going down,” — Brooke Rollins, out agriculture secretary
Official Statements & Responses
She emphasized support for American ranchers and promised “even better beef” produced domestically.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s like, the gas price, the steak price — no good. What are we doing about that?” — Benny Johnson “It’s like, the gas price, the steak price — no good. What are we doing about that?” — Benny Johnson
- “I know that Trump called you about the price of a Big Mac,” — Benny Johnson “I know that Trump called you about the price of a Big Mac,” — Benny Johnson
- “What are we going to do about American beef? Nobody likes it. Nobody likes these expensive steaks that cost $20 a pound. So, like gas prices and steak prices, no good,” — Benny Johnson “What are we going to do about American beef? Nobody likes it. Nobody likes these expensive steaks that cost $20 a pound. So, like gas prices and steak prices, no good,” — Benny Johnson
- “Well, it’s interesting. For the first time in, I think, six months, that’s not what he called me about,” — Brooke Rollins “Well, it’s interesting. For the first time in, I think, six months, that’s not what he called me about,” — Brooke Rollins, out agriculture secretary
- “But if it is too expensive, unlike fuel, Benny, you can eat chicken, pork, salmon, eggs; there are other sources of really good protein, and all of those prices are going down,” — Brooke Rollins “But if it is too expensive, unlike fuel, Benny, you can eat chicken, pork, salmon, eggs; there are other sources of really good protein, and all of those prices are going down,” — Brooke Rollins, out agriculture secretary
- “And I’m really, really proud of that,” — Brooke Rollins “And I’m really, really proud of that,” — Brooke Rollins, out agriculture secretary