In Pennsylvania tonight, at his first in-person rally since July, Donald Trump touted his failing economy and told voters that he had “no higher priority than making America affordable again,” as Trump once again referred to affordability as a “hoax.” Despite his aides saying he would preview upcoming plans to help with the cost-of-living, Trump offered ZERO new plans to lower prices for everyday Americans. 

In an interview with POLITICO this week, Trump graded his economy an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus,” and said that “prices are all coming down” — a slap in the face to the millions of everyday Americans drowning under sky-high inflation. Trump and his administration have repeatedly denied the struggles that everyday Americans are facing with high prices and mass layoffs.

In response, DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement: 

“Donald Trump is driving the economy into the ground, and his message to Americans is simple: ‘Don’t be dramatic.’ Working families are being backed into a corner, forced to choose between paying for groceries, rent, or health care — and most of the worst impacts of his Big Ugly Bill are still to come. But tonight, Trump offered NO solutions to bring down prices and make life more affordable for everyday Americans. Instead, he took a victory lap on his failing economy. Repeatedly calling affordability a ‘hoax’ won’t help Trump’s abysmal approval ratings — and it certainly won’t help Republicans in the midterms.” 

Working families are paying more this holiday season than ever before — cutting back on spending and already struggling to afford basic necessities, like groceries, utilities, housing, and health care — all while the job market continues to erode and hiring slows to a halt. 

Meanwhile, millions of Americans are bracing for their health care premiums to skyrocket by an average of 114% if Republicans refuse to extend the enhanced ACA premium tax credits by the end of the year. When asked if he would extend the expiring tax credits, Trump simply said, “I don’t know.”

It’s no wonder Trump’s own supporters are souring on his handling of the economy — nearly 4-in-10 Trump voters said the cost of living is the worst they can remember, and 1-in-5 said Trump bears full responsibility for the economy.