Trump Touts Economic Success in Pennsylvania, Countering Democrats’ “Affordability” Platform
President Trump delivered a passionate address to supporters at a Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania casino resort, focusing on his administration’s economic achievements while challenging Democrats’ recent election success with their “affordability” messaging. Speaking for nearly two hours, Trump presented his case that his policies are effectively lowering costs for Americans after what he described as price increases under the previous administration.
“They caused the high prices, and we’re bringing them down,” Trump declared to the enthusiastic crowd, emphasizing a straightforward economic message: “Lower prices, bigger paychecks – you’re getting lower prices, bigger paychecks, we’re crushing inflation – and you’re getting much higher wages.” He pointed to the stock market and 401(k) performance as evidence of economic strength under his leadership. This economic focus comes at a critical time, as Republicans adjust their messaging following Democratic victories in 2025 elections where affordability was a central theme. Despite Trump’s confidence in his economic stewardship—he told Politico he would give his economy an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus” grade—voter sentiment remains mixed. A November Fox News national survey found that 76% of voters still view the economy negatively, an increase from 67% in July and 70% at the end of President Biden’s term.
Trump presented specific data points to illustrate economic improvements during his second administration. He claimed real wages “plummeted” by $3,000 under Biden while rising under his leadership—typical factory workers seeing a $1,300 increase, construction workers $1,800, and miners $3,300. By contrast, he stated that construction workers experienced a $3,500 drop in real wages during the Biden years. The president then shifted to discussing everyday expenses, using visual aids to compare prices between administrations. Citing Walmart reports, he noted a Thanksgiving meal is now 25% cheaper than under Biden, with turkey prices specifically down 33%. Egg prices, according to Trump, have “dropped like a rock” and are down 80% since March, providing tangible examples of cost reductions that directly impact American households.
Energy policy formed another pillar of Trump’s economic argument, as he connected his energy approach directly to inflation reduction. “One of the most important ways we’re defeating inflation is by unleashing American energy, including oil, gas and clean beautiful coal,” he stated, claiming that 22 states now have lower gas prices than at any point in the past seven years, with some areas seeing prices as low as $1.99 per gallon. Beyond daily expenses, Trump highlighted broader economic indicators including lower mortgage rates, $18 trillion in new private investments (compared to what he characterized as “less than $1 trillion” under Biden), and strong stock market performance as evidence of successful economic management.
Trump addressed the Democrats’ “affordability” messaging head-on, acknowledging price concerns while rejecting their framing. “I can’t say affordability hoax because I agree the prices were too high. I can’t call it a hoax because they’ll misconstrue that. But they use the word affordability and that’s their only word,” Trump said, pushing back against the implication that his policies contribute to high prices. “They say, ‘affordability’ and everyone says, ‘Oh, that must mean Trump has high prices.’ No. Our prices are coming down tremendously from the highest prices in the history of our country.” He employed colorful rhetoric to dismiss Democratic economic credentials, comparing their affordability messaging to “Bonnie and Clyde preaching about public safety.”
As he concluded his economic focus, Trump broadened his message to contrast his policy approach with his opponents’. “We don’t have to sell our policies to anyone, because they are the right policy,” he asserted, before pivoting to cultural issues that energize his base. “We don’t have to sell men in women’s sports. We don’t have to sell transgender to everybody. We don’t have to sell open borders where the whole world is allowed to come into our country from prisons and everywhere.” Returning to his economic theme, Trump delivered his closing argument: “That’s our message. They gave you high prices. They gave you the highest inflation in history. And we’re giving you—we’re bringing those prices down rapidly.” This Pennsylvania appearance highlights the economic messaging likely to define Republican campaigns as they seek to counter Democrats’ recent success with affordability-focused platforms, presenting voters with competing visions for addressing American financial concerns.
