Trump backtracks on promise to lower food prices in first week
- Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to President Trump expressing disappointment over his inaction on lowering grocery prices during his initial week in office.
- Food prices, particularly eggs, have risen significantly due to various factors, leading to increased costs for consumers.
- Critics urge Trump to focus on effective policies to fulfill his campaign promises and address the rising costs of living faced by Americans.
In the United States, Democratic lawmakers criticized President Donald Trump for not addressing the rising costs of food during his first week in office. Although Trump had vowed to reduce grocery prices immediately upon taking office, his focus was diverted to issues such as immigration and pardoning individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol attack. In a letter addressed to Trump, Senator Elizabeth Warren and 19 other Democratic lawmakers expressed their disappointment, emphasizing that instead of tackling food prices, he signed numerous executive orders that did not address consumer relief. They highlighted a notable increase in grocery costs, particularly a 36.8% surge in egg prices due to a bird flu crisis. Senator Warren indicated that during his campaign, Trump had repeatedly promised voters that he would lower food prices as a priority. However, the stark reality pointed to inflation continuing to climb, with a reported 1.8% increase in groceries from December 2023 to December 2024. Critics, including Warren and McGovern, urged Trump to take concrete actions rather than issuing empty promises and called for collaboration to genuinely address the financial struggles faced by American families. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the complexity of reducing grocery prices and noted that it would take time to see results. He celebrated Trump's early executive orders while deflecting questions about how soon the public might notice a financial relief on grocery shelves. Vance maintained that with focused efforts, the new administration could impact consumer prices positively through enhanced energy production and collaboration with Congress. However, skepticism surrounded whether these promises could translate into tangible results, as reducing consumer prices remained a prominent concern among Americans. The overall sentiment expressed by lawmakers was one of frustration as food prices continued to rise without significant attempts by the administration to assist struggling families. The Democratic leaders called on Trump to change course and prioritize the needs of everyday Americans above other political pursuits in order to deliver on his vowed commitments to lower grocery prices.