Trump's Pledges on Prices: A Year Later

As President Trump marks one year in office, we assess the promises made regarding inflation, food prices, and energy costs amidst rising living expenses.

President Donald Trump was swept to power for a second time on the back of a central campaign promise to tackle inflation. The steep rise in the cost of living was top of voters' minds and Trump blamed President Joe Biden, declaring he would bring down prices starting on day one. However, official data shows grocery prices rose by 2.7% in the year up to September 2025, with increases seen in staples like coffee and ground beef.

Two economic experts highlight the limited control a president has over food prices, linking increased costs to Trump's tariffs and immigration policies, among other factors. While some grocery items have seen price drops, electricity rates have risen since Trump's inauguration, in stark contrast to his campaign promise of slashing energy prices in half.

Moreover, prices for new cars continue to climb, hitting a record average of over $50,000 amid inflationary pressures stemming from tariffs. Trump had also pledged to reduce gasoline prices to below $2 per gallon, yet the average price remains above that mark.

As we explore the impacts of these price trends, we find a complex interplay of factors affecting consumer costs, and whether Trump's economic policies are successfully aligning with his promises remains a critical question as he leads into the next election cycle.