President Trump, in recent months, has dismissed concerns about affordability, but this evening, in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, he is focusing on the crisis and touting his administration's efforts to lower the cost of living. Nancy Cordes has more.

Pennsylvania

President Trump, who previously dismissed concerns about affordability, has shifted his focus to the cost of living crisis, highlighting his administration's efforts to reduce expenses during a speech in Pennsylvania. While Trump praised his economic record, local shoppers expressed skepticism, citing unfulfilled promises and rising prices.

Government data indicates that energy costs have increased by 2.8 percent over the past year, despite the president's claims of falling prices. The White House has eased some tariffs and announced a $12 billion bailout for farmers affected by trade disputes, as Trump prepares a series of speeches on affordability ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Trump tries to flip the script on affordability

Turning now to the economy, President Trump in recent months has dismissed concerns about affordability as a democratic hoax. But this evening in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, he is focusing on the crisis and touting the administration's efforts to lower the cost of living. Chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes is with the president in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. As he prepared to tout his economy, President Trump was asked to grade it. A plus. A plus. A plus, plus, plus, plus, plus. But at Shields Family Market in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the shoppers are tougher graders. I would think a B minus. You're definitely failing. Oh, I would give it a D. Ann Marie Hadley is a retired educator. The economy is not good. I don't see promises being kept. And the promise was to bring prices down. Oh, absolutely. The president insists he is keeping that promise. Grocery prices are down. Energy, energy has come down incredibly. But government data tells a different story. The cost of energy is up 2.8 percent over 12 months. Overall inflation was falling, but drifted back up when Trump imposed tariffs. Definitely since the tariffs have started, you can feel it. Um, even with non-food items, we felt it, you know, Black Friday. The White House has eased some of its tariffs on products that are largely grown abroad, like coffee and avocados. And just yesterday, Trump announced a 12 billion dollar bailout for farmers hit hard by his trade war with China. Twelve billion is a lot of money. Tonight, Trump will emphasize gas prices, which have come down an average of six cents a gallon since this time last year. He may also stress this year's stock market gains, which led shopper Patrick Naughton to give the economy this solid grade. I'd probably say about a good B, um, just because, uh, my investments are doing pretty well. My 401ks are doing pretty well. Um, but again, that's just me personally. The White House says this is just the first in a series of speeches that the president will give on affordability, a top issue for voters, especially in swing states like this one, Pennsylvania, with less than a year to go before the midterm elections.

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Breakdown