Fact Check: Trump's number one promise was to lower prices. Prices are up especially on meat.

Fact-Check: "Trump's number one promise was to lower prices. Prices are up especially on meat."

What We Know

Former President Donald Trump made a significant campaign promise to lower prices, particularly in the realm of groceries and food. However, recent data indicates that food prices, including meat, have been on the rise. According to a report by Reuters, Trump's tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico were expected to increase beef prices, which were already high. This aligns with broader trends in food inflation, as the USDA projected that food-at-home prices would increase by 2.2% in 2025, with grocery prices rising overall by 3.5% (as noted in a FactCheck.org article).

In a CNN report, it was highlighted that Trump had surrounded himself with food products during a press conference to emphasize his promise to lower food prices. However, the reality has shown that prices have continued to rise, particularly for items like eggs, which have seen sharp increases due to inflation and supply chain issues related to bird flu.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food-at-home increased by 0.6% from January to June 2025, and 2.4% year-over-year (as discussed in a Money Talks News article). This contradicts Trump's assertion that he had successfully lowered grocery prices.

Analysis

The claim that Trump's number one promise was to lower prices is substantiated by his own statements and campaign rhetoric. However, the assertion that prices, especially on meat, have gone down is misleading. While Trump has made claims about reducing costs, the evidence shows that food prices have generally increased during his administration.

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis varies. The Reuters report is credible, given its reputation for thorough journalism and its focus on agricultural markets. Similarly, the FactCheck.org article provides a balanced view by citing USDA projections and contrasting political claims. On the other hand, while CNN and Money Talks News provide useful insights, they may carry some bias due to their editorial slants, which can affect how information is presented.

Experts cited in these articles, such as Ernie Tedeschi from Yale University, note that while presidents have limited control over food prices, tariffs can significantly impact costs. Tedeschi's analysis suggests that Trump's tariffs could lead to a long-term increase in food prices, which aligns with the observed trends in inflation and pricing.

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump's number one promise was to lower prices" is Partially True. While it is accurate that Trump promised to lower prices, the evidence indicates that prices, particularly for meat and groceries, have risen during his administration, contradicting his assertions. This discrepancy highlights the complexity of economic factors influencing food prices, which are often beyond the control of any single administration.

Sources

1. Trump tariffs to stoke US food inflation despite pledge to lower costs
2. Are Prices Up or Down? Parsing Misleading Claims by Trump and Democrats
3. Trump pledged to bring down food prices on Day One. Instead...
4. Fact Check: Are Grocery Prices Really Down Under Trump?
5. Donald Trump Pledged to Lower Prices. These Food Prices Have...
6. Despite Trump’s campaign promises, feds say cost of groceries will increase in 2025
7. Will the Trump Administration Actually Bring Down Food Prices?