Trump Says He Brought Down Inflation, Yet Many Still Feel the Pinch
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Many Americans, like Maribel McBeath, struggle with affordability despite steady employment, as rising costs of essentials such as housing and healthcare consume a large portion of their income.
- Economic improvements, including lower unemployment and slowed inflation, have primarily benefited the wealthy, leaving working-class individuals feeling disconnected from positive economic narratives.
- Middle-class workers face tough financial choices, including delaying retirement, cutting back on necessities, and taking multiple jobs, a trend known as “polyworking,” with 8.6 million people holding multiple jobs as of January.
- Critics urge political leaders, including President Trump, to address the rising costs of groceries, housing, and child care more directly, rather than focusing on broad claims of economic victory.
