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Trump Tells Americans To ‘Give Up Certain Products’ Amid Cost‑Of‑Living Backlash

Steve Benen|MS NOW
03:04 AM, 12/11/2025
Trump Tells Americans To ‘Give Up Certain Products’ Amid Cost‑Of‑Living Backlash

At a Pennsylvania rally, Donald Trump defended his record but made an unscripted appeal to consumers to "give up certain products," citing pencils and saying children do not need "37 dolls." The remarks, delivered in a casino, drew comparisons to Jimmy Carter’s 1970s call for consumer restraint and were criticized for their timing ahead of the holidays. Critics also highlighted a perceived disconnect between the president’s request for public sacrifice and reports of his continued personal luxuries.

Donald Trump, facing falling approval ratings tied to public frustration over the economy, used a Pennsylvania rally to defend his record — but instead delivered an unscripted message that many viewed as out of touch.

The event, held in a casino, was meant to showcase his economic accomplishments. Rather than laying out new policy proposals, the president returned to off‑the‑cuff remarks about trade and veered into provocative comments about immigrants, wind turbines and transgender people, drawing criticism that the venue and tone were ill chosen.

In a portion of his remarks about trade policy, Trump suggested Americans accept smaller purchases to cope with rising prices. He said:

Trump Tells Americans To ‘Give Up Certain Products’ Amid Cost‑Of‑Living Backlash - Image 1
US President Donald Trump does a little dance after he delivered remarks on the economy at Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, PA, on Dec. 9, 2025.(AFP via Getty Images)

"You know, you can give up certain products. You can give up pencils. ... You always need steel. You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter — two or three is nice, but you don’t need 37 dolls."

Rather than proposing concrete economic measures, the president’s remarks encouraged consumers to pare back spending — a message critics compared to former President Jimmy Carter’s 1970s exhortation to turn down thermostats and wear sweaters during an energy crisis.

Observers noted a striking contrast between Trump’s appeal for public sacrifice and reports of his continued personal comforts and projects: work on a new marble bathroom at the White House, plans for an expanded ballroom labeled unnecessary by critics, and frequent trips to Florida where he visits his private club and entertains wealthy guests.

The comments landed just weeks before Christmas and prompted critics to question both the timing and the optics of urging families to buy less while the president remains associated with luxury and leisure.

Source: Originally published by MS NOW.

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