Trump Downplays Affordability in Pennsylvania Speech as Democrats Seize on Issue

President Trump, speaking in Mount Pocono, Pa., this week largely brushed aside concerns about the cost of living he had previously said he would address, waiting 18 minutes to use the word “affordability” in a 90‑minute address that focused mostly on immigration and attacks on political opponents.

Mr. Trump said “Our prices are coming down tremendously,” and later called worries about rising costs “a hoax” at a White House round‑table with business leaders, even though the article notes government data showed inflation in September was close to 3 percent, about the same as it was at the end of the Biden administration.

He offered few policy solutions on affordability, acknowledged using “the weave” to jump between topics, and said he would rather be talking about the border; his comments also highlighted expedited visa “gold cards,” described on a government website as granting “U.S. residency in record time” at costs of $1 million for individuals and $2 million for corporations.

Democrats and some analysts said Mr. Trump’s dismissal of affordability concerns was “a gift.” Bakari Sellers, an adviser to Democratic leaders, said it allowed Democrats to focus on winning issues like affordability and health care, and Senator Chuck Schumer posted Mr.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Pennsylvania, Affordability, Inflation, Chuck Schumer