Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Trump's grocery price promise unfulfilled as costs weigh on Republicans
Two years ago, Donald Trump stood next to piles of food at his golf club and promised to make groceries cheaper.
He said the president before him made prices go up.
Now, groceries still cost more, and many people are upset.
Number-counters found that the price of foods shown at that event has gone up a little since then.
Some foods got cheaper, like eggs and butter.
But other foods got more expensive, like coffee, beef, and apples.
Many voters say food costs too much for their families.
Some people who usually vote for Trump might not vote at all, or might vote for the other side.
Because elections are coming in November, this could change who wins.
The leaders are arguing about whether prices are going down or still going up.
Two years after Trump's August 2024 Bedminster press conference blaming Biden for grocery prices, Reuters found prices in the 26 displayed categories rose 3.4% in his first 19 months in office.
Recent BLS data shows coffee (nearly 23%), uncooked beef (19.2%), and apples (14%) are up, while eggs (nearly 40% down), butter, bacon, and cooking fats and oils are among six categories with falling prices since 2025.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found Trump's net approval on handling the cost of living at -47%, down from -6% at the start of his term.
Interviews with 17 Republicans and independents in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District found more than half undecided or leaning toward Democrat Rebecca Bennett over Republican incumbent Tom Kean.
White House officials cite the July CPI report showing prices barely rose month-over-month as proof inflation is under control, while many voters say grocery receipts remain a daily burden.
- Who
- Donald Trump, Democratic candidate Rebecca Bennett, Republican incumbent Tom Kean, and voters in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District
- What
- Grocery prices remain above levels shown at Trump's 2024 Bedminster event, with a 3.4% rise in 26 tracked categories during his first 19 months in office
- When
- Two years after Trump's August 15, 2024 press conference, ahead of November's midterm elections
- Where
- United States, including Trump's Bedminster golf club in New Jersey and New Jersey's 7th Congressional District
- Why
- Cost-of-living frustrations could dampen Republican turnout and shift the race because Trump's pledge to lower grocery prices remains unfulfilled
Critics and voters
White House and supporters
Are grocery prices falling as promised?
Critics and voters
Reuters analysis of the 26 categories featured at Bedminster shows prices still 3.4% higher after 19 months, with coffee, beef, and apples up sharply — short of Trump's pledge to lower prices.
White House and supporters
The White House cites July CPI data showing prices barely rose month-over-month and says Trump's agenda is delivering falling prescription drug and auto insurance costs, with beef cooling and eggs, poultry, and dairy staying low.
Who is responsible for inflation?
Critics and voters
Bennett and frustrated voters blame Trump's tariffs and the Iran war for higher prices, while analysts note presidents have limited influence and the Federal Reserve more directly addresses inflation.
White House and supporters
Trump and his supporters blame the Biden administration for sharp increases and say Trump 'inherited a mess'; some voters believe companies are keeping prices elevated to make Trump look bad.
Will prices hurt Republicans in the midterms?
Critics and voters
Polling shows voters now give Democrats a slight edge on the economy for the first time in nearly a decade, and Trump's cost-of-living approval is at -47%, with many voters undecided or disillusioned.
White House and supporters
Supporters say prices have stabilized versus Biden's term, eggs have gone down, and issues such as education and border security matter more to them than grocery costs.
- Price change in 26 tracked categories
- +3.4% in first 19 months of Trump's second term
- Egg prices under Trump
- Fell nearly 40%
- Uncooked beef
- Up 19.2%
- Coffee
- Up nearly 23%
- Apples
- Up 14%
- Trump net approval on cost of living
- -47%, down from -6% at start of term
- Voters interviewed in NJ-7
- 17 Republicans and independents; more than half undecided or leaning toward Bennett
- Categories with falling prices since 2025
- 6 of 26, including eggs, butter, bacon, and cooking fats and oils