Trump's Promises vs. Reality: Are Prices Coming Down?

Thu Nov 06 2025 06:12:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As inflation remains a primary concern for many Americans, we analyze whether President Trump's promises to lower prices on groceries, electricity, and gasoline have come to fruition since his re-election.

In the wake of President Trump's re-election, promises to tackle rising inflation and lower consumer prices were central to his campaign. However, a review reveals ongoing rises in grocery, electricity, and car prices, raising questions about the efficacy of his policies amidst pressures such as tariffs and immigration reforms.

Trump's Promises vs. Reality: Are Prices Coming Down?

President Donald Trump was swept to power for a second time on the back of a central campaign promise to tackle inflation. The steep rise in the cost of living was top of voters' minds, and Trump blamed President Joe Biden while making sweeping promises to bring down prices for Americans starting on day one. One year on from his victory, BBC Verify revisits some of the president's claims.

Groceries

When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on Day One, Trump declared at an August 2024 news conference surrounded by packaged foods, milk, meats, and eggs. Official data shows grocery prices rose by 2.7% in the 12 months to September 2025, with some items seeing significantly sharper increases like coffee (18.9%) and ground beef (12.9%).

Since Trump took office, grocery prices have risen each month, except for one fall in April. Experts argue the President's control over food pricing is limited, with tariffs contributing to higher costs, particularly on products like coffee due to a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports. Additionally, Trump’s immigration policies affect labor availability in farming, impacting wages and, subsequently, prices.

Electricity

During his campaign, Trump pledged to cut electricity bills sharply, promising to halve prices within 12 months. Instead, average residential electricity rates rose to 17.62 cents per kWh in August 2025 from 15.94 cents in January. Demand surges from sectors like AI and insufficient supply, combined with cuts to renewable energy subsidies, have kept prices high.

Cars

Trump's inflation promises extended to cars, with an average price surpassing $50,000 for the first time. Factors such as tariffs have inflated costs in the automotive industry, putting pressure on consumers and new buyers.

Gasoline

Trump specifically pledged to get gasoline below $2 a gallon. Upon his entry to the White House, the price was $3.125; currently, it's slightly below $3.08, indicating a gradual decline but still short of his promise.

While Trump's administration cites energy policy reforms and promises of more affordable gas, the reality reflects the complexities of global markets and domestic policies. As inflation remains a pressing issue for many Americans, the question of whether Trump's commitments have translated into tangible results looms large.