Trump's grocery stunt resurfaces as a midterm liability for Republicans

In August 2024, Donald Trump held a press conference at his Bedminster golf club, surrounded by grocery staples and charts that accused the Biden administration of driving up food prices and pledged to tame inflation. One outlet's analysis of 26 grocery categories finds that, although price growth is slower than during the previous administration, most items have risen, with beef up 19.2 % and coffee nearly 23 %, offset only by declines in eggs and butter.

Voters in New Jersey’s competitive 7th Congressional District, including longtime Trump supporter Sheila Carney, report that rising grocery and petrol costs are eroding enthusiasm for the midterm vote, and polls now give Democrats a modest edge on economic stewardship for the first time in a decade. The race pits Republican incumbent Tom Kean against Democrat Rebecca Bennett, who is campaigning on reversing Trump’s tariffs and expanding food-stamp benefits.

Trump’s net approval on handling the cost of living sits at -47 %, his weakest issue, while experts warn that inflation-driven purchasing-power loss could further hurt Republican turnout in November. The White House cited a July CPI report showing minimal month-to-month change as evidence that inflation is under control, but the grocery-price narrative remains a potent reminder of household financial pressure.