Claim Analysis: "Trump said prices are down on groceries since he was elected."
Introduction
The claim in question is that former President Donald Trump stated that grocery prices have decreased since he was elected. This assertion requires careful examination, especially given the complex and often volatile nature of grocery pricing influenced by various economic factors.
What We Know
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Current Grocery Price Trends: According to various reports, grocery prices have experienced significant fluctuations. For instance, data from the Labor Department indicates that grocery prices rose by 1.8% from December 2023 to December 2024, with specific items like eggs seeing substantial price increases 7. This suggests that, overall, grocery prices have not decreased since Trump's election.
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Trump's Statements: During his campaign, Trump made several promises regarding grocery prices, asserting that he would work to lower them. However, he later acknowledged the challenges in achieving this goal, stating it would be "hard" to bring grocery prices down 35.
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Historical Context: Food prices have surged by approximately 23% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been a significant factor in the current economic landscape 3. This context is crucial in understanding the broader trends affecting grocery prices during and after Trump's presidency.
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Public Perception: Polls indicate that food prices are a major concern for voters, and many are looking to Trump to deliver on promises to reduce these costs 9. However, the reality of rising prices contradicts the notion that they have decreased since his election.
Analysis
The reliability of sources discussing grocery prices and Trump's claims varies:
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Credibility of Sources: Major news outlets such as NBC News, CNN, and NPR provide substantial coverage of Trump's statements and the economic context surrounding grocery prices. These sources are generally considered credible, though they may have editorial biases. For example, NBC News and CNN have been criticized for their liberal leanings, which may affect their framing of economic issues related to Trump 345.
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Fact-Checking Organizations: PolitiFact has evaluated specific claims made by Trump regarding food prices, noting that while some statements may contain elements of truth, they often lack comprehensive context, such as the overall trend of rising prices 8. This highlights the importance of scrutinizing the details behind claims.
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Expert Opinions: Articles from economic experts and analysts provide insights into the factors influencing grocery prices, including supply chain issues and inflation. However, these analyses can be complex and may not directly address Trump's specific claims about price decreases 610.
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Potential Conflicts of Interest: Some sources may have political affiliations or agendas that could influence their reporting. For instance, outlets that are openly critical of Trump may emphasize the negative aspects of his economic policies, while those supportive of him might downplay the challenges he faces in reducing grocery prices.
What Additional Information Would Be Helpful
To further evaluate the claim, it would be beneficial to have:
- Detailed statistics on grocery price trends from independent economic research organizations.
- A timeline of Trump's statements regarding grocery prices compared to actual price changes.
- Analysis from non-partisan economic experts on the factors influencing grocery prices during Trump's presidency.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that grocery prices have decreased since Donald Trump's election is false. Evidence indicates that grocery prices have generally risen, with a reported increase of 1.8% from December 2023 to December 2024, and a significant overall surge of approximately 23% since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump's own statements reflect an acknowledgment of the challenges in reducing grocery prices, further undermining the claim.
It is important to note that while some of Trump's statements may contain elements of truth, they often lack the necessary context to accurately reflect the reality of grocery pricing trends. Additionally, the complexity of economic factors influencing grocery prices means that simplistic interpretations of such claims can be misleading.
Limitations in the available evidence include potential biases in reporting and the need for more comprehensive data from independent sources to fully understand the dynamics at play. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives when assessing claims related to economic issues.
Sources
- Opinion | Are food prices really rising? Check our tracker. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/interactive/2025/trump-food-prices-tracker/)
- Prices were a key issue in 2024, but Trump makes clear ... (https://www.npr.org/2025/02/01/nx-s1-5282353/trump-economy-prices-inflation)
- Trump says it will be 'hard' to bring grocery prices down. Here's why. (https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/trump-says-hard-bring-grocery-prices-down-why-rcna183960)
- Grocery prices: Trump just said groceries will be more affordable 'very ... (https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/12/economy/grocery-prices-inflation-trump-interview/index.html)
- Trump now says bringing down grocery prices, as he promised, will be ... (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-now-bringing-grocery-prices-promised-hard/story?id=116763207)
- Why are food prices so high, and what can Donald Trump do to lower ... (https://6abc.com/post/why-are-food-prices-so-high-what-can-donald-trump-lower-grocery-experts-weigh/15550294/)
- Democrats slam Trump for not making good on promise to lower food prices (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/democrats-slam-trump-not-making-good-promise-lower-food-prices-rcna189179)
- PolitiFact | Trump touted a 50% drop in egg prices. Wholesales prices ... (https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2025/apr/04/donald-trump/fact-checking-trumps-statement-about-declining-egg/)
- Food prices worried most voters, but Trump's plans likely won't ... (https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/food-prices-worried-most-voters-but-trumps-plans-likely-wont-lower-their-grocery-bills/)
- How could Trump's tariffs affect your grocery bill? (https://www.today.com/food/news/trump-tariffs-grocery-prices-rcna199708)
