‘GOP will lose in November’: Donald Trump bulldozes reality as cost of basic food has jumped over 30%, yet he insists otherwise

President Trump recently asserted that the cost of many basic food items, including cheese, butter, potatoes, and fruit, is lower today than when he initially took office. He specifically highlighted that egg prices are down 60% and beef is “starting to come down.” The president attributed some of the past issues, particularly with cattle, to “environmental reasons” and what he called “sick people” who wanted less livestock.

However, these claims don’t quite align with what many Americans are seeing at the grocery store. Per CNBC, federal data indicate that food costs have been on a steady upward trend. For example, all food is about 19.6% more expensive now than it was in January 2022. That means a $100 grocery bill from a few years ago would set you back around $119.60 today.

Many are pushing back on the president’s statements. One X account, “Republicans against Trump,” called his assertion “false.” Another user, “Blue Rebel,” commented that this kind of disconnect from reality could cost the GOP in November, since voters know exactly what they’re paying for groceries. 

Trump clearly hasn’t hit a grocery store ever

When we dig into specific items, the picture gets clearer. President Trump suggested that beef prices are “starting to come down significantly.” While there have been some minor dips, federal data shows that beef prices remain near multiyear or even record highs. Ground beef, for instance, averaged $6.75 per pound in January, which is the highest level on record. That’s a hefty 22% increase during the first year of Trump’s second term.

The reasons behind these high beef prices are a combination of low supply and high demand. The U.S. cattle inventory is at its lowest in decades thanks to persistent drought conditions, which have forced many farmers to sell off female cows. At the same time, demand for beef has increased, with many people becoming “backyard grilling heroes” during the pandemic. Imports are a fix, but experts warn it might drive domestic beef prices even higher in the long run.

Now, about those eggs. Trump’s claim about a 60% drop is right. However, this significant drop is primarily a return to normal prices after a massive supply shock caused by a historic bird flu outbreak in 2024 and 2025. Consumer demand also likely fell as prices surged, further helping to ease the situation.

Finally, Trump also claimed that chicken costs are “lower today than when I took office by a lot.” As you would expect, the data says nope! Average prices for chicken have actually increased by about 1% over the past year. The bird flu, while devastating for egg-laying chickens, hasn’t had the same significant impact on chickens raised for meat consumption.

The interesting bit of these claims is that it isn’t the first time Trump has made them, and the data has always contradicted him. Now, with the war in Iran, we are seeing another jump in costs, so you have to wonder why he keeps trying to sell this delusion.