Speaking in Los Angeles, Harris argued that the country is currently in the grip of an “affordability crisis” under President Donald Trump, citing the high costs of housing, energy, and healthcare as drivers of public frustration.
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According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average for gas prices dipped below $3 per gallon in early December 2025—the first time prices have fallen that low in four years. Additionally, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2025 showed that grocery prices saw their most significant decline since 2020.
Despite these recent indicators, price stability remains a sticking point for voters. The BLS reported in October that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3% in September, marking a 3% increase over the previous 12 months.
President Trump, speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, praised the current trajectory of the economy under his leadership. However, public sentiment remains divided. A new AP-NORC survey released Friday suggests that while many adults remain concerned about high prices, the intensity of that concern has lessened compared to the midpoint of the Biden presidency.