Democrats Seize on Holiday Costs to Challenge Trump’s Economic Message

As Americans pack grocery aisles for Thanksgiving and scan Black Friday deals, Democrats see the holiday shopping season as a pivotal moment — one that could expose what they argue is a major broken promise of President Donald Trump: lowering prices.

With the 2026 midterms approaching, Democratic lawmakers say that, despite Trump’s pledge to “rapidly drive prices down,” American families are still confronting stubborn costs across daily essentials. For them, the busiest shopping stretch of the year is the perfect backdrop to press their case.

“He promised to lower costs, but instead he’s done the opposite,” Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) said, accusing Trump’s economic policies — particularly tariffs — of fueling continued uncertainty.

Holiday Prices: A Mixed Bag

Recent data from the American Farm Bureau Federation shows the cost of a typical Thanksgiving dinner for 10 is down 5% from last year, thanks largely to cheaper turkey. Republicans cite these numbers as proof that Trump’s inflation-fighting message holds weight.

“Turkey prices are down. Egg prices are down. Gas prices are down,” argued Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.).

But Democrats counter that the overall economic picture tells a different story: consumer prices remain 3% higher than a year ago, and polls show Americans still feel the pinch.

Polling Paints a Tough Landscape for Trump

A November Fox News poll found that 76% of voters rate the economy negatively, and 60% say grocery prices have risen “a lot” since last year. Nearly half of respondents reported Trump’s economic policies have personally hurt them.

Similarly, a CBS News survey showed 65% of Americans believe Trump’s policies are driving grocery prices upward, while 64% disapprove of his handling of the economy.

These numbers have energized Democrats, who are now making affordability the centerpiece of their 2026 messaging.

“There’s some folks who are saying prices are going down who might get a surprise,” said Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), who squarely blames Trump for persistent inflation. “Everybody knows it’s his fault.”

Republicans Split on Messaging

While many Republicans insist the country is still feeling economic aftershocks from the Biden years, others warn their party risks ignoring voter frustration.

Retiring GOP Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) described the situation bluntly: “Prices are outrageous. For someone to ignore that, then you’re whistling past the graveyard.”

Moderate Republicans, such as Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), say affordability has been spiraling for years and neither party has delivered meaningful relief. Fitzpatrick is now working with Democrat Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) on a bipartisan “affordability agenda” expected early next year.

Republicans maintain that relief is coming. They point to tax cuts passed earlier this year, predicting voters will feel a boost when filing returns in 2026. “People are going to see more money in their pockets,” Malliotakis said.

Democrats Double Down

Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer began pushing economic affordability as their signature post-2024 message and have kept the drumbeat steady.

“The cost of living in the United States of America is completely and totally out of control,” Jeffries said recently, reiterating the theme that helped Democrats notch wins in off-year elections in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.

The issue also dominated the record shutdown fight this year, with Democrats demanding action on rising health-care costs and urging Republicans to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies — a deadline still looming as premiums are set to jump on January 1.

Holiday Season as a Political Pressure Point

With millions of Americans spending more on food, travel, and gifts, both parties see the holidays as a real-world test of their economic claims.

For Democrats, it’s a chance to argue that Trump’s policies aren’t delivering.
For Republicans, it’s an opportunity to convince voters that lower inflation and tax cuts will soon be felt.

For American families, it’s much simpler: every receipt tells its own story.