Under Donald Trump and JD Vance, the average American family has had to pay more than $4,700 extra for everyday essentials. Inflation blew past expectations — rising 6.3% over the last year — well above expectations and the sharpest month-over-month increase in more than four years. The increase was the second-largest increase since at least 2010. Additional data released this week showed that consumer inflation reached 3.7% in September — above expectations and the highest rate since May — as high prices have nearly wiped out all wage gains since January 2025.
The average price of gas has been above $4 per gallon for a whopping 161 days — more than any other year in history. Gas prices next year are projected to be 21 cents higher than forecasts from a month ago, and oil $10 per barrel higher than a month ago. Diesel is also not expected to drop below $4 a gallon until at least 2028.
It’s no wonder 95% of Americans think we’re in an affordability crisis. Nearly half of Americans are having trouble paying for basic needs, and 77% said they did not have enough money to cover expenses for three months in an emergency. Consumer sentiment in October dropped to the second-lowest reading on record since the 1950s, as 70% of Americans say they will either cut back (54%) or stop (16%) spending on certain items because of Trump and Vance’s tariffs and war with Iran.
In response, DNC Deputy Communications Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:
“Donald Trump and JD Vance have made life unaffordable for everyday Americans as their disastrous agenda hikes prices on everything from groceries to gas. Working families are being forced to shell out thousands more as their wages get wiped out by inflation. Trump and Vance’s reckless tariffs and deadly and costly war with Iran are to blame, but instead of giving Americans some breathing room, Vance is begging voters to ‘give us another chance.’ It’s too little too late — voters are ready to hold Republicans accountable.”
