Is the Affordability Crisis a Hoax?

President Donald Trump gave a speech in Pennsylvania on Tuesday addressing the economy and the affordability crisis as well as touching briefly on other topics, such as immigration.

Is The Affordability Crisis a Hoax? Trump said, "I can't say affordability hoax because I agree the prices were too high." However, he maintained that his administration has benefited American consumers, claiming that under his second administration, "Our prices are coming down tremendously from the highest prices in the history of our country." He blamed Democrats and former President Joe Biden for the economic conditions he was handed, saying that Biden is "a sleepy son-of-a-b**** who destroyed our country." Fox News (Right bias) contrasted Trump's speech with a recent survey from the outlet that showed that 76% of voters view the current economy negatively.

Immigration: Daily Wire (Right) noted that in the speech, Trump claimed, "Before I entered office, 100% of all new net jobs were going to migrant workers," but went on to say, "Now think of it, 100% went to American citizens." On the subject of immigration, he also asked, "Why is it we only take people from s***hole countries, right?" He continued, "Why can't we have some people from Norway, Sweden."

How the Media Covered It: Outlets on the left were critical of Trump's speech, frequently framing it against Americans' negative views about the economy and pointing out recent losses Republicans have seen in the polls, such as in Miami and Georgia (CNN, Lean Left). New York Times (Lean Left) claimed that "Mr. Trump's political advisers are clearly concerned that merely telling voters they are doing well could repeat a mistake" that cost Democrats the last presidential election. Outlets on the right were more positive, highlighting examples that support Trump's claims, such as Fox News pointing out that 22 states have the lowest gas prices in 7 years and Newsmax (Right) noting wage increases for hourly workers. Center outlets, like left outlets, focused on consumers' reactions to the economy, with Forbes (Center) reporting that consumer sentiments are at "near historic lows" before the holidays.

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