The head of the National Republican Congressional Committee confessed that the GOP is failing when it comes to the economy — but thinks it's more about messaging than policies.
Speaking to CNN's Manu Raju, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) said, “I think there's the reality and there's the messaging, and both need to be moving in the right direction for the American people. You know, people are hurting.”
Indeed, one of President Donald Trump's top pledges during the 2024 campaign was to reduce the prices of groceries and fuel, among others. Trump's own Department of Agriculture reported at the end of last month that costs are likely to continue going up.
"In 2025, overall food prices are anticipated to rise at about the historical average rate of growth. In 2025, prices for all food are predicted to increase 2.9 percent, with a prediction interval of 2.3 to 3.4 percent. Food-at-home prices are predicted to increase 2.2 percent, with a prediction interval of 1.4 to 3.0 percent. Food-away-from-home prices are predicted to increase 3.9 percent, with a prediction interval of 3.5 to 4.2 percent," the agency said.
Similarly, Nerd Wallet reported that fuel prices also increased in the waning days of summer after a relatively stable season. A "major reason gas prices have remained so high is that, until recently, oil prices were higher than they were before the pandemic hit in 2020 and Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. That’s based on the average monthly price of West Texas Intermediate crude, which is used as the benchmark for oil prices in North America," the report said.
AAA lists the average fuel price in the U.S. currently at $3.177.
Prices have increased across the board due to tariffs imposed by Trump beginning in April, CNBC reported.
"Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, rose 0.4% in August, the biggest monthly gain since January, and is up 3.1% from a year earlier," said the report.