One Year In: Trump’s Biggest Campaign Promises Remain Unfulfilled – Inflation Rises and Groceries Hit Record Highs

Washington, D.C. – One year after his 2024 victory, President Donald Trump is facing mounting criticism for failing to deliver on key campaign promises to lower prices and address the cost of living, which propelled him over Kamala Harris, as inflation rises and groceries like beef, coffee, and bananas hit record highs, per U.S. Department of Labor data.

At his final 2024 rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Trump vowed, “Under my leadership, we are quickly going to turn this economic nightmare into an economic miracle. We will make America wealthy again, and we will make America affordable again.”

Yet, despite slight declines in gasoline and mortgage rates, electricity costs have spiked, and the latest CPI report shows inflation climbing due to Trump’s tariffs and immigration crackdown, from 3.2% in December 2024 to 4.1% in August 2025, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Economic Promises vs. Reality

Trump’s campaign highlighted Harris and Biden’s “inflation disaster” costing families $30,000, per a 2024 Heritage Foundation study, but 2025 has seen grocery prices surge 5.8% year-over-year, with beef up 12.5%, coffee 8.2%, and bananas 7.1%, per USDA reports. Energy costs have risen 6.3%, with electricity bills averaging $148 monthly, a 15% increase from 2024, per the Energy Information Administration.

A Washington Post-ABC News poll from October 2025 shows 59% of Americans blame Trump for inflation, with his economic approval at 37% versus 62% disapproval, echoed by an NBC News poll finding 65% believe he’s failed the middle class and 66% criticize his inflation handling. Trump’s disapproval rating has reached 55%, the highest since January 2021 post-Capitol riot, per Gallup.

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a potential 2028 contender said, “Auto loans are the highest delinquency ever. The price of food is still high. The price of turkey is almost doubled… Electricity is high. And of course, we’re about to get huge health insurance premiums for 24 million Americans. So I would say on that, if there’s anything less than an F-minus, I would give them an F-minus.”

Gallego’s critique shows Trump’s focus on immigration and crime over economic relief, as noted in his CBS 60 Minutes interview where he dodged cost-of-living questions to discuss “cashless bail” and “sanctuary cities.”

Tax Cuts and Healthcare Shortfalls

Trump fulfilled his tax pledge by signing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025, extending 2017 cuts by $4 trillion for the wealthy, including temporary deductions for tips and overtime expiring in 2028, per the Congressional Budget Office.

However, he has not unveiled a healthcare plan to replace Obamacare, despite attacks on it during 2024, and rejected extending ACA subsidies for 24 million Americans. The bill’s $800 billion Medicaid cut, effective 2026, will raise premiums for millions, exacerbating costs.

Immigration and Foreign Policy Mixed Bag

Trump’s immigration achievements include halting border crossings to near-zero in 2025, per CBP data, via mass raids and National Guard deployments, but the crackdown has swept up U.S. citizens and long-term residents without criminal records.

Foreign policy highlights include negotiating a Hamas hostage release in the Middle East, but Ukraine efforts stalled after his August Alaska summit with Putin yielded no progress, despite 2024 promises to end the war in 24 hours.

Trump has prioritized revenge, directing the DOJ to pursue Democrats like Comey, Bolton, James, and Schiff, per August indictments. His August IRS overhaul targets liberal groups, reversing Obama-era complaints. The FCC’s August broadcaster investigations over political speech, including license threats, contradict Trump’s “cancel culture” stance.

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Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said, “I think the impact of Trump’s tariffs are beginning to hit close to home… There will be the measure of inflation, and then there will be the perception of how much more expensive Christmas presents are this year.”

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) criticized Argentine beef imports harming U.S. ranchers. Senate Republicans rebuked Trump’s tariffs in August, voting 52-48 to delay implementation, per the Senate website.