"During a speech on Monday, President Donald Trump continued to dismiss Americans' concerns about affordability, instead claiming that the U.S. is witnessing a "golden age" of prosperity under his tenure. In remarks before McDonald's franchise owners gathered in Washington, D.C., Trump said that he has "normalized" inflation, and gave a glowing report of the economy under his watch. In fact, inflation is up 3 percent over the past year, a slight increase from the annual rate change seen a year prior, before Trump took office."
"Notably, while McDonald's now touts an "Extra Value Meal" menu, its signature item, the Big Mac - one of Trump's favorites - has gotten more expensive over the past year, with the price increasing by 5 percent since 2024 and by 91 percent since 2019. Despite the introduction of the value menu earlier this year, the company's soaring prices are driving away lower-income Americans."
Inflation was characterized as "normalized" and the country as entering a "golden age" of prosperity, while official data show inflation up 3 percent over the past year. Franchise owners were urged to resist federal minimum wage increases; the federal minimum wage remains $7.25. McDonald's introduced an "Extra Value Meal" menu, yet the Big Mac rose 5 percent since 2024 and 91 percent since 2019. Restaurant-chain prices climbed 3.2 percent over the past year, outpacing general inflation. Rising fast-food prices are contributing to affordability problems and are pushing lower-income Americans away despite value-menu branding. Claims that prices are coming down conflict with observed price trends.
Read at Truthout
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