This week, the White House declared that “Despite Democrat lies, President Trump has excelled in improving affordability in his first nine months.” The statement, posted on the official @WhiteHouse account, highlights falling gas prices, reduced costs for select consumer goods, and recent pharmaceutical pricing deals. But for millions of Americans, the reality behind those numbers tells a deeper story—one of quiet resilience, economic strain, and the daily pursuit of dignity.

Grocery prices have increased by 2.7% over the past year, and utility bills have risen by 12% nationwide. While some Thanksgiving food baskets have dropped in price, many contain fewer items than in previous years. Most rely on generic or store-brand products instead of name-brand staples. Retailers like Walmart and ALDI have leaned heavily on private-label offerings to keep costs down, and nearly one-third of shoppers now actively choose store brands to manage inflation. For families stretching every dollar, these substitutions aren’t just economic—they’re emotional. They reflect a quiet recalibration of what “enough” means. And yet, Americans adapt. They make do. They press forward.

Gas prices have declined modestly, from $3.13 to around $3.03 nationally between late 2024 and late 2025. Southern states, such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, saw deeper dips, with prices ranging from $2.45 to $2.55. These regions, often politically aligned with Trump, have become visual backdrops for his affordability messaging. But energy experts caution that global supply shifts—not domestic policy alone—have driven these changes. OPEC+ decisions continue to shape market outcomes. Even minor production adjustments by Saudi Arabia and its partners can ripple through global prices and affect U.S. pump costs. Analysts like Bob McNally and Helima Croft point to the timing of past cuts—such as October 2022—which coincided with election cycles and fueled public frustration. While there’s no public evidence of coordination between OPEC+ and the Trump administration, the optics raise questions. Experts urge journalists to investigate whether diplomatic ties or trade alignments may influence the decisions made by output.

The administration’s affordability claims also hinge on pharmaceutical pricing. In 2025, Trump signed an executive order launching TrumpRx—a federally branded portal that redirects consumers to manufacturer platforms offering discounted prices on high-profile medications. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have lowered prices for GLP-1 drugs, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. Under TrumpRx, self-pay patients pay approximately $350 per month, while Medicare and Medicaid patients pay around $245. Eligible seniors pay just $50 co-pays. These prices are dramatically lower than retail, which ranges from $997 to $1,350 per month. TrumpRx also guarantees discounted pricing for new drugs like orforglipron and oral semaglutide, expected to launch at $149 per month. For patients living with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, these medications can be life-changing—but only if access remains stable.

That’s where the fragility of TrumpRx becomes clear. Because it was created by executive order, not legislation, it can be reversed by a future president. There’s no congressional statute protecting it, no bipartisan coalition sustaining it, and no permanent funding mechanism. If the White House changes hands, the portal could vanish overnight—along with the discounts it facilitates. Critics argue this isn’t just about affordability—it’s about control. TrumpRx was built for speed, branding, and unilateral rollout. It bypassed Congress, avoided compromise, and launched under the president’s name. While legal, this approach concentrates power and raises concerns about the integrity of the democratic process. When a president can launch a nationwide drug pricing program without debate or oversight, it invites scrutiny—not just of the policy, but of the precedent.

For many analysts and watchdog groups, TrumpRx is more than a health care initiative—it’s another step toward authoritarianism. By centralizing credit, bypassing legislative checks, and branding a federal program with the president’s name, the administration has blurred the line between governance and personal power. The program’s benefits are real, but so is the risk: when access to life-changing medicine depends on the whims of a single officeholder, the balance of power shifts away from democratic institutions and toward executive dominance.

Public opinion paints a sobering picture. A recent national poll found that over 70% of Americans rate the economy as “poor” or “very poor,” with 61% saying Trump’s policies have worsened their financial situation. Democratic leaders point to stalled wage growth and rising housing costs, arguing that affordability remains a top concern for working families. “This administration is selling spin, not solutions,” said Rep. Maria Torres (D-CA).

Surveys conducted this fall show that economic worries were the dominant concern for voters in multiple off-year contests. Exit polls from CBS News covering New Jersey, Virginia, New York City, and California confirmed that the economy and cost of living were the top voter concerns. Many respondents reported feeling financially stuck and not making progress. Dissatisfaction is concentrated among lower- and middle-income households, renters, younger voters, and many minority communities. Local concerns varied—property taxes and utility costs were key issues in New Jersey, while housing and rent dominated in New York City—but the overall sentiment was consistent: many voters feel their paychecks aren’t keeping pace with the cost of essentials.

Recent economic indicators reflect ongoing strain. Layoffs surged in October, with over 153,000 job cuts announced—a 175% increase from the previous year. Unemployment rose to 4.3%, and inflation remains elevated at 3%, above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. The Fed cut interest rates in October to 3.75–4% in an effort to stabilize markets. A 34-day government shutdown disrupted SNAP benefits and delayed labor data, compounding public anxiety.

While the administration continues to highlight affordability wins, analysts say the broader economic picture remains fragile. The disconnect between official messaging and lived experience is growing—and for many Americans, the question isn’t whether prices have dropped, but whether their lives have gotten easier. And that question deserves more than spin. It deserves truth. It deserves accountability. It deserves leadership that listens.

References
White House Fact Sheet on TrumpRx: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/11/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-announces-major-developments-in-bringing-most-favored-nation-pricing-to-american-patients
STAT News: TrumpRx Drug Discount Deal: https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/06/trumprx-weight-loss-drug-discounts-wegovy-zepbound
Yahoo News: TrumpRx Pricing Announcement: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-announces-plans-slim-down-171234144.html
ABC News: TrumpRx and Medicare Expansion: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/trump-administration-announces-deal-lower-weight-loss-drug/story?id=127259787
UPI: TrumpRx and New Drug Access: https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/11/06/obesity-drugs-cost/7611762456752
CNN/SSRS Poll on Economic Sentiment: https://www.cnn.com
CBS News Exit Polls: Off-Year Elections 2025: https://www.cbsnews.com
PBS/AP Voter Poll Analysis: https://www.pbs.org
Politico: Inflation and Labor Market Crosscurrents: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/11/cpi-fed-powell-tariffs-trump-inflation-00557111
Axios: Trump Budget Cuts Threaten Economic Data Collection: https://www.axios.com/2025/06/12/trump-inflation-gdp-jobs-report
The Economist: Trump’s Economic Impact Tracker: https://www.economist.com/interactive/trump-approval-tracker/economy