ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Trump pivots to domestic concerns as affordability worries grow
In a recent rally, Trump mocked Biden, hit Democrats, pushed culture-war themes, warned Europe on immigration, and slammed renewables.
-
IANS - Wed, 10, Dec 2025
- 00:01 EST
- 8
US President Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Mount Airy in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. / White House
After waging a chaotic tariff war, targeting countries across the board and chasing a Nobel Prize with dubious claims, President Donald Trump has come back down to earth, facing his political base amid rising anxiety over affordability.
He shifted on Dec. 9 to a domestic focus at a rally at a casino resort in Pennsylvania under the banner “Lower Prices; Bigger Paychecks,” in scenes reminiscent of his large campaign gatherings.
There were expectations that he would announce new measures addressing stubbornly high prices, but instead he repeated talking points about lower petrol prices, record investment “in the trillions,” and job creation.
In a lengthy speech, Trump mocked predecessor Joe Biden, attacked Democrats, revived culture-war themes such as transgender participation in women’s sports, warned Europe on immigration and condemned renewable energy — all mixed with his trademark humor.
He touted “peace through power” and what he described as the successes of his tariffs, without acknowledging their role in higher prices. He said immigrants who contribute and assimilate are welcome, while criticizing those — legal and undocumented — he labeled criminals. He asserted that many criminal migrants entered under Biden, whom he described as too enfeebled to make decisions, claiming instead that “the radical left” was in charge.
ALSO READ: Trump all smiles as he wins FIFA's new peace prize
Launching this renewed domestic push in Pennsylvania was notable: it is a pivotal swing state that helped secure his 2025 victory. Trump has spent more time on high-profile foreign travel than domestic events, and he said advisers urged him to return to the campaign trail. With House elections looming next year, some Republicans have voiced frustration at the lack of focus on economic issues.
“If we don’t do that, we would be morons, because the economy is very much on people’s minds,” said GOP Representative Tony Gonzales.
Trump has dismissed “affordability” as a Democratic talking point, but on Tuesday he declared, “Let’s make America Affordable again,” offering few specifics. Democrats have gained ground by hammering concerns over high prices and housing costs. Their recent wins — gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey, and a tightening of a Republican lead in a Tennessee House race — have unsettled GOP leaders.
Republicans hold a narrow seven-seat majority in the House. A Democratic takeover next year could leave Trump vulnerable to renewed impeachment efforts like those that dogged his first term.
Recent polling has raised alarms. Quantus found Democrats up 4 points on the generic congressional ballot. A Rasmussen poll released Tuesday showed 54 percent disapproving of Trump’s performance, while an Economist/YouGov survey found 57 percent saying the country is on the wrong track.
After initially showing skepticism toward affordability concerns, Trump is now rolling out economic promises. He pledged a $2,000 “Tariff Dividend Cheque” to most Americans, announced a government-funded $1,000 “Trump Account” for newborns and said Monday that $12 billion would go to farmers hurt by the tariff war’s impact on soy and corn exports.
He has also pressed the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates. Many economists expect a 0.25 percent cut Wednesday, following an identical reduction in October.
It may take years before voters feel any benefit from Trump’s tariffs or his large-scale investments. He continues to blame high living costs on inflation during Biden’s presidency, which he says reached 19 percent. Inflation has eased to 3 percent on his watch, but prices have not noticeably fallen, undercutting one of his key campaign promises.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login