WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Wednesday described the U.S. Economy as “gangbusters,” citing falling inflation as evidence of success, even as a growing number of Americans report feeling financially strained. The divergence between macroeconomic indicators and personal economic experience is driving a strategic shift in political messaging, with Democrats increasingly focusing on the concept of “affordability” rather than the broader “economy.”
The shift, observed throughout 2025, reflects a deliberate effort to connect with voters on a more visceral level. Whereas traditional economic metrics like GDP and job growth remain positive, concerns about the rising cost of living – particularly groceries, housing, and healthcare – are dominating public discourse. A CBS poll from October indicated that inflation and the economy were the top concerns among Americans. According to the Urban Institute, 52 percent of U.S. Families lack the resources to cover basic living expenses.
“Economy” is often perceived as abstract and statistical, allowing for debate over figures while individuals struggle with immediate financial pressures. “Affordability,” conversely, is directly tied to everyday realities – the price of groceries, rent payments, and healthcare premiums. This reframing proved effective in several races nationwide, according to Fox News opinion analysis, which identified “affordability” as the most consequential word of 2025.
The average monthly cost of groceries has risen 32 percent since 2019, exacerbating financial anxieties for many families, as highlighted in a December report from NPR (How The Idea Of Affordability Is Shaping Our Politics). This increase, coupled with rising housing costs and healthcare expenses, has created a sense of economic insecurity that transcends traditional economic indicators.
The focus on affordability isn’t limited to Democrats. The Cato Institute recently published a list of 17 policy proposals aimed at lowering costs for consumers, ranging from food and healthcare to appliances, emphasizing the necessitate to address production costs as a key component of affordability. This bipartisan acknowledgement of the issue underscores its widespread impact.
The New York Times reported today that politicians are actively framing affordability as a central issue, but the question of how to achieve it remains largely unanswered. The debate over affordability is expected to intensify as the 2026 election cycle progresses, with both parties seeking to position themselves as champions of working families. The White House has yet to announce specific legislative proposals addressing the rising cost of living beyond the President’s claims of “plummeting” inflation.
