Summary: Rising grocery prices and the political fallout from tariffs have made the cost of living a central voter concern. A Dec. 7 exchange on Fox & Friends crystallized public frustration, while a barrage of erratic posts on Truth Social has shaken confidence further. With families cutting holiday budgets and small businesses under strain, the piece argues that higher prices and political instability have effectively spoiled the festive season for many Americans.
Opinion: How Rising Prices — and a Turbulent Presidency — Put a Chill on Christmas
President Trump has survived scandals, impeachments, investigations and a stack of lawsuits large enough to make a mid-size law firm wince. This winter, however, he faces a problem he cannot bully away: real, visible price increases — especially at the grocery store, where totals on receipts now feel like personal affronts.
Costs That Hit Home
Americans are fed up. His approval ratings have sunk to levels not seen since the Nixon era, and even some Republicans are acknowledging that something is wrong. Strategists are scrambling and voters are grimacing. Nothing feels steady anymore except grocery bills, which many households now feel are being driven higher by trade policy and broader inflationary pressures.
The Dec. 7 Moment
The flash point arrived on Dec. 7, when Trump tuned in to "Fox & Friends" and heard guest Peter Schiff calmly note that many Americans simply can't afford much right now. Schiff's point was straightforward: prices are rising, wages are not keeping pace, and tariffs are worsening the squeeze. Trump's response was immediate and explosive — labeling Schiff a "Trump-hating loser," demanding investigations and implying some unnamed infiltration of the network.
Fact: A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 26 percent of Americans believe Trump is handling the cost of living well.
Erratic Messaging and Public Confidence
That financial squeeze is compounded by a wave of erratic social-media behavior. When he is not making demeaning comparisons about reporters, Trump has been posting on Truth Social in a torrent: hundreds of posts an hour, AI images, and conspiracy claims that range from implausible to inflammatory. The volume and tone of those posts have unsettled both voters and some allies, who say the president's behavior undermines public confidence at a sensitive moment.
Holiday Pain
December is the month Americans ask for a pause — for lights, carols and a brief respite from financial anxiety. Instead, many families are tightening budgets: roughly four in ten say they are cutting back this season, and six in ten say gifts for others are likely to be scaled down. For many households, tariffs and higher import costs have made holiday shopping feel like a risky stunt.
Small Businesses and Supply Pressures
Small businesses, already operating on thin margins, report being squeezed by higher input costs and disrupted supply chains. For them, each import cycle can determine whether they survive another quarter, and higher tariffs amplify that uncertainty.
Conclusion
Take a fragile economy, add a president broadcasting a torrent of unstable messaging, and mix in a month that demands emotional steadiness. The result, the author argues, is that the festive season has been dimmed for many Americans — not by a single event, but by the intersection of rising prices and political turbulence.
John Mac Ghlionn is a writer and researcher who examines culture, society and the effects of technology on daily life.
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