Kenneth Glad
Prices fell in the latest monthly government reading, but several major household expenses remained higher than a year ago. That gap is at the center of a new dispute over the cost of living.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has drawn criticism after describing the country as more affordable during a recent appearance on Fox News, where she defended the administration’s economic record and pointed to Republican policies as evidence of progress.
According to HuffPost, Leavitt praised President Donald Trump and his party’s approach before saying, “Our country is safer. Our country is more affordable.”
Her remarks quickly became a focal point in the wider debate over household costs and whether recent economic improvements are being felt by ordinary consumers.
Recent figures offer a mixed picture
The Consumer Price Index fell 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from May to June, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was the largest one-month decline since April 2020.
Prices were nevertheless 3.5 percent higher than in June 2025. Food increased 3 percent over the year, while energy was up 15.7 percent. Gasoline dropped 9.7 percent during June but remained 26.7 percent above its year-earlier level.
The index excluding food and energy was unchanged for the month and 2.6 percent higher over the previous 12 months. Shelter, one of the largest expenses for many households, rose 0.1 percent in June and 3.3 percent over the year.
Trump has argued that his administration is bringing costs down. According to HuffPost, he recently said, “We’ve done a great job in reducing prices.”
White House points to stores
The administration has also pointed to price reductions and promotions announced by major retailers. In an August 6 statement, the White House said Walmart had lowered prices on thousands of products and cited Target reductions covering thousands of items, including everyday essentials.
The statement also highlighted Giant Eagle, Meijer and Sam’s Club. Meijer independently announced temporary discounts on a rotating selection of more than 1,000 grocery and household products, while Walmart said Sam’s Club had lowered prices on more than 250 items.
The White House described Kroger as planning its largest price cuts in years and also cited Albertsons, H-E-B and Costco among retailers offering lower prices.
Those examples cover selected products rather than prices across the economy as a whole. Affordability also depends on household earnings and major recurring expenses such as housing, food and transportation.
Criticism follows the claim
TV Insider reported criticism of Leavitt’s remarks after the Fox News appearance, with viewers questioning whether the administration’s description of the economy matched what households are experiencing. Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson reacted separately, writing, “Does she listen to herself?”
The backlash reflects a wider problem for the White House as it tries to persuade voters that recent price declines and retailer discounts amount to meaningful relief. While some monthly indicators have improved, annual figures still show higher costs across several important categories.
That leaves affordability open to competing interpretations. The administration can point to recent declines and selected price cuts, while critics can point to the fact that many families are still paying more for basic expenses than they were a year ago.
Sources: HuffPost, TV Insider, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, White House, Fox News
