TST. Donald Trump Calls the Word ‘Affordability’ a ‘Democrat Scam’ After Labeling Himself the ‘Affordability President’
Trump also claimed he inherited the ‘worst inflation in history’ from former President Joe Biden’s administration
Madison E. Goldberg received her B.S. in Journalism and double minors in publishing and photography from Emerson College in 2022, Cum Laude. She first joined PEOPLE in 2025 as a Night Digital News Writer.
Published on December 3, 2025 11:10PM ESTUS President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. Credit :
Yuri Gripas/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- President Donald Trump claimed that affordability was a “Democrat scam” in a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, during which he appeared to fall asleep
- Trump touted cheaper groceries as a major issue during his 2024 presidential campaign
- Inflation hit 3% in September, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
President Donald Trump called the term “affordability” a “Democrat scam” during a televised Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
“They say it, and then they go on to the next subject,” the president, 79, said. “And everyone thinks, ‘Oh, they had lower prices.’ “
He went on to claim that “nobody could afford anything” during former President Joe Biden’s term, and that Biden’s policies caused the “worst inflation in history.”
“Now some people will correct me, because they always love to correct me,” Trump added. “Even though I’m right about everything. But some people like to correct me, and they say 48 years.”
Inflation reached 9.1% in June 2022, marking the highest rate in 40 years, according to Fox Business. Inflation is currently above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, and has risen recently, the outlet reported,
Recent data U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the annual inflation rate increased to 3% in September. This is the highest level since the start of Trump’s second term, NJ.com reports.
During Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Trump appeared to fall asleep several times. He occasionally squinted his eyes, and at least one time, fully closed them. Meanwhile, members of his Cabinet took turns delivering accounts of their success and expressing admiration for their boss.
When reached for comment by PEOPLE about his demeanor, the White House provided a statement from press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“President Trump was listening attentively and running the entire three-hour marathon Cabinet meeting,” said Leavitt, 28, said.
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Trump previously vowed to “make America affordable again” during his 2024 campaign. An October CNN poll saw 47% of voters rank the cost of living as their greatest concern — and 61% said they believed Trump’s policies worsened economic conditions in the country.
In November, Trump touted a “record high” stock market at a business event in Florida in November, according to NPR.
“Costs are way down,” Trump said in the Oval Office last month, per the outlet. “My administration and our partners in Congress will continue our work to lower the cost of living, restore public safety, grow our economy and make America affordable again for all Americans.”
