CNN Audit Finds 4.3% Price Rise Since Trump Took Office, Undercutting 'Everything Is Cheaper'
Updated
Updated · AlterNet · Aug 1
CNN Audit Finds 4.3% Price Rise Since Trump Took Office, Undercutting 'Everything Is Cheaper'
3 articles · Updated · AlterNet · Aug 1
Summary
Daniel Dale said Trump’s claim that "everything else" is cheaper is "absolutely, unequivocally false," after reviewing 332 CPI-tracked products and categories with colleague Matt Stiles.
Their audit found about five times as many items rose in price as fell since Trump returned to office in January 2025, with overall prices up 4.3%.
Key categories all increased: food rose 4.2%, housing 4.6%, energy 13.1%, medical services 4.9%, clothing 4.5% and childcare 3.8%.
Eggs, which Trump cited as proof prices had fallen, were the standout decliner after stabilizing from a bird-flu-driven spike; Dale said few other items dropped nearly as much.
The fact-check lands as higher fuel costs, inflation, tariffs and Trump’s Iran war are being blamed for squeezing household budgets, with beef, coffee and lettuce among pricier items.