United States President Donald Trump defended his administration’s economic record on Monday, highlighting recent price reductions while addressing concerns over rising costs of living in the United States. Speaking at the McDonald’s Impact Summit in Washington, DC, Trump claimed that his policies have brought inflation back to manageable levels and pledged to continue reducing the cost pressures facing American households.

“We have it down to a low level, but we’re going to get it a little bit lower,” Trump said. “We want perfection.”

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Trump Attributes Economic Gains to His Policies

In his remarks, Trump repeatedly contrasted his administration’s approach with that of former President Joe Biden, blaming prior Democratic policies for creating economic turmoil. “Nobody has done what we’ve done in terms of pricing. We took over a mess,” he said, reiterating a familiar talking point from his 2024 campaign, which heavily focused on affordability and the rising cost of everyday goods.

Despite Trump’s optimism, public opinion shows mixed results. An NBC News poll released this month found that 66 percent of respondents felt Trump had not met their expectations on affordability, while 63 percent expressed similar dissatisfaction with the economy overall. Analysts have linked voter frustration over high prices to Republican losses in recent off-year elections, including in New Jersey and Virginia.

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Steps Taken to Address Inflation and Prices

Trump has implemented a range of measures aimed at lowering prices, including:

• Reducing tariffs on 200 food products, including beef, bananas, coffee, and orange juice, via an executive order signed last Friday.
• Proposing tariff-funded $2,000 rebate cheques to offset rising living costs.
• Suggesting the introduction of 50-year mortgages to improve housing affordability.

Although inflation has fallen significantly from its four-decade high of 9.1 percent under Biden, it remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target, with October’s rate reaching 3 percent, lower than many analysts had anticipated given Trump’s ongoing trade actions.

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McDonald’s: A Symbol of Affordability

A key focus of Trump’s speech was his praise for McDonald’s, which he presented as emblematic of his economic strategy. Trump highlighted the fast-food chain’s efforts to offer more affordable menu options, including the return of extra value meals priced at $5 or $8.

“Together we are fighting for an economy where everybody can win, from the cashier starting her first job to a franchisee opening their first location to the young family in a drive-through line,” Trump said. “We’re getting prices down for this country, and there’s no better leader or advocate than McDonald’s.”

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Balancing Progress and Public Concerns

While Trump touts reductions in certain prices as evidence of his economic stewardship, ongoing affordability concerns, coupled with tariff-driven market pressures, suggest Americans remain anxious about everyday costs. Economists note that while headline inflation has declined, the cost of essentials—including food, energy, and housing—continues to influence household budgets, making the cost-of-living issue a central political concern heading into 2026.