‘Groceries’ Are Not ‘Old Fashioned,’ And Other Reminders For Trump

President Trump complained this week that he’s not getting enough credit for securing the border, so here it is: Thank you so much, Mr. President, for swiftly and deftly fixing a catastrophic problem. This country is now safer and stronger, and it’s because of you. You’re also good-looking.

I get it. The frustration is understandable. He really has accomplished a lot in less than a year, and everyone wants to feel appreciated. But it’s also true that the way he talks about the undeniable fact that it is still too expensive for the middle and working class in this country — which is to say, with utter contempt — isn’t acceptable to voters. They elected him president in no small part to do everything possible to bring prices down, and while everyone knows that’s a colossal task, it’s less than clear that Trump is fully invested in solving that problem.

Yes, the previous administration flushed the country in trillions of unneeded dollars via turbocharged welfare and Covid “relief” money and dumped a few million poverty-stricken foreigners into taxpayer care. All of that is why we continue going through this unaffordable hell.

“I’m still working on it and working hard,” would be a reasonable assurance. Instead, Trump answers questions about the economy with a dismissive cuteness reminiscent of Kamala Harris whenever she’s asked about — well, anything. He occasionally offers a perfunctory comment like, “I have no higher priority than making America affordable.” Then it’s back to blame shifting. He calls the concept of “affordability” “fake,” a “con job,” and a “hoax” perpetrated by Democrats.

Okay? The border chaos was also perpetrated by Democrats. So was the rise in crime and the DEI nightmare. Voters know who’s to blame. They acknowledged that in last year’s election. Who’s responsible makes no difference when people are still feeling the need to reduce their living standards so that they don’t have to open new credit cards. And it feels a little like they’ve been sidelined when every time they turn on the news, Trump is telling foreign dignitaries about the new White House ballroom he’s constructing, or that he’s got a new war he’d like to solve.

He can do those things and, at the same time, admit the economy is still not working for most Americans, plus explain the next steps he’s taking to address the problem. Rent, home prices, car insurance, health care costs — all of it is too expensive. Groceries are too expensive.

To that end, the president really might consider moving on from treating — when not openly musing about — “groceries” as being “old-fashioned.” It’s weird and only makes him sound more removed from the issue. If he shows he really cares about bringing prices down, he can get credit for that, too.