President Donald Trump spoke before the America Business Forum in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday.
During his speech, the president highlighted numerous economic accomplishments from his second term, citing decreases in the costs of gas, energy, eggs, and food. The president’s last claim about food prices, however, eventually drew a rebuke from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in a social media post on X.
“Gasoline prices have plummeted to the lowest in two decades, and we’re going to soon see $2 gasoline,” Trump said. “Think of that, $2 per gallon. It was up to $4.50, $5. And you know when you get gasoline, and when you get oil and gas down, it’s so big, it’s so massive, the importance of it, that everything else starts to follow, and that’s what’s happening. Grocery prices are way down.”
The accuracy of this statement is questionable. While no one knows if gas will decrease to $2 per gallon, fuel costs have not dropped to “the lowest in decades.” Gas prices have decreased since Trump was in office and have hovered around $3 per gallon recently. But current prices are actually marginally higher than those in mid-December 2024. Moreover, gas prices started to drop significantly in the second half of 2024. However, the president does deserve some credit as rates have remained low and affordable since Trump’s term began, even avoiding the traditional summer gas price hike.
Trump’s remark about grocery prices, however, led to Massie criticizing the comment and offering a rebuttal.
“Grocery prices are not way down,” Massie posted. “The only way to reverse inflation is to quit spending more money than we bring in, which means we must cut spending. The big beautiful bill increased spending.”
Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Massie is correct. The information shows that grocery prices have increased compared to a year ago, rising 2.7%. Additionally, food costs have been more expensive since the beginning of Trump’s second term, increasing by approximately 1.4%.
Massie has long been a fiscal hawk and outspoken critic of Trump on matters of fiscal responsibility and government spending. It has led to a feud between the two, with Trump urging candidates to run against Massie in the 2026 elections. Earlier this week, Trump posted a statement endorsing one of Massie’s likely opponents, Ed Gallrein.
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“Third Rate Congressman Thomas Massie, a Weak and Pathetic RINO from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky, a place I love, and won big SIX TIMES, must be thrown out of office, ASAP!” Trump posted on his Truth Social account on Monday. “The incredible people of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District gave us a mandate to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person that will help us do that is Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Fifth Generation Kentucky Farmer, Captain Ed Gallrein, a true America First Patriot.”
“Captain Ed Gallrein has my Complete and Total Endorsement against Massie, who is now polling at about 9% because the Great People of Kentucky are wise to him — He only votes against the Republican Party, making life very easy for the Radical Left,” Trump added. “Unlike ‘lightweight’ Massie, a totally ineffective LOSER who has failed us so badly, CAPTAIN ED GALLREIN IS A WINNER WHO WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”