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Are Everyday Goods Cheaper Under Trump? Data Shows a Mixed Picture
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
Inflation has been a dominant issue for American voters since the COVID-19 pandemic, shaping the 2024 presidential race and the upcoming November midterms. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a 3.4 % inflation rate this month, above the Federal Reserve’s 2 % target, driven largely by higher energy costs linked to the war in Ukraine. A February 24, 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine is cited as a catalyst for global supply-chain disruptions and soaring energy prices that have fed into consumer-price trends.
Core Price Trends Under the Two Administrations
Newsweek examined BLS data for a basket of nine everyday items—beef, eggs, bread, milk, bananas, tomatoes, chicken, bacon and coffee—across the Biden and Trump presidencies. Both administrations saw price spikes, but the patterns differ. Beef and coffee posted the largest nominal gains during Trump’s second term, while egg prices fell more than 50 % since Trump returned to office last January. By contrast, the analysis finds that, on average, all nine goods were nominally cheaper under Biden. When adjusted for the overall 28 % rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since January 2021, many items that rose less than that amount were actually cheaper in real terms during the Biden years.
Official Statements & Responses
President Donald Trump countered on Truth Social, asserting that gas and “almost all other prices” were higher under President Joe Biden.
Data & Statistics
- Inflation: 3.4 % this month (BLS).
- CPI increase: ~28 % overall since January 2021 (Labor Department).
- Egg prices: fell >50 % since Trump’s return to office last January; previously tripled between January 2021 and January 2025.
- Beef and coffee: recorded the steepest nominal price gains during Trump’s second term.
- All nine goods: nominally cheaper on average under Biden, but real-price comparisons depend on inflation adjustments.
Why It Matters
The divergent narratives—White House optimism, Trump’s claims, and the data-driven analysis—shape voter perceptions of economic stewardship ahead of the midterms. While headline inflation remains above target, the nuanced price movements of everyday items could influence public confidence in each administration’s economic policies.