White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt faced sharp criticism on social media Monday after asserting on Fox News that the country is "safer" and "more affordable" under President Donald Trump's administration. Critics accused her of "gaslighting" Americans, pointing to persistent high prices and declining approval ratings regarding affordability.
Leavitt praised Trump for "common-sense policies across the board" during her Fox News appearance. While crime rates have seen a downward trend, this has been attributed by some as a continuation of a pre-existing pattern. However, her claim of increased affordability drew particular backlash, as affordability has been a significant concern during Trump's second term.
Just days prior, Trump himself claimed to have "done a great job in reducing prices." Despite these assertions, consumer prices have remained elevated, contributing to a significant drop in Trump's approval ratings on affordability, which are reportedly 43 percentage points underwater according to The Economist's poll tracker. Affordability, the economy, and jobs are identified as the top issues for Americans.
Trump has previously dismissed concerns about affordability, calling it a "fake word" and a "hoax." In June, he was quoted as saying, "I love the inflation." Furthermore, his promise to keep gas prices under $2 a gallon has not materialized. The national average for gasoline is currently double that figure, with prices nearly $1 per gallon higher than a year ago, according to AAA. This surge is largely attributed to the ongoing conflict with Iran, which has impacted oil prices.
Responses on social media from figures and users included accusations of dishonesty and a disconnect from reality. One user questioned Leavitt's statements, asking, "What country is she talking about, gas price is over $6 a gallon in California. Please let's be honest and speak the truth."