In another made-up – not based in reality – ‘Truth’ Social post, President Trump posted on October 6 the following:

“JUST OUT: Good news for the Holiday Season. EARLY PRICES ARE DOWN, WHILE TARIFFS ARE MAKING OUR COUNTRY AN ECONOMIC POWER AGAIN. Also, virtually NO INFLATION, AS STOCK MARKETS CONTINUALLY HIT RECORD HIGHS. THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS FOR THE U.S.A.”

First, the government shutdown has halted all economic releases from the Federal Government, essentially creating a space for the Administration to say virtually anything it wants.

This scary scenario is leading to the President peddling made-up economic ‘facts’.

Although vague in what exactly he was referring to, the claim by Trump that early holiday season prices are down is purely a lie.

The most recent economic data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, released in September, show that prices – and inflation – are indeed up.

The year-over-year data show that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 2.9 percent for the 12 months ending in August 2025, after rising 2.7 percent over the same period in June and July. Prices for all items less food and energy rose 3.1 percent, food prices increased 3.2 percent, and energy prices increased 0.2 percent since August 2024.

In fact, all the typical Holiday categories are up.

Food at home prices were 2.7 percent higher than a year earlier. Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs prices rose 5.6 percent, nonalcoholic beverages increased 4.6 percent, and prices for fruits and vegetables increased 1.9 percent over these 12 months. Prices for dairy and related products were up 1.3 percent, and cereals and bakery products rose 1.1 percent. Food-away-from-home prices were up 3.9 percent over the year.

Household furnishings and operations also increased (3.9 percent), as did apparel (0.3 percent), and general commodities (all other consumer goods) rose 4.2 percent.

Furthermore, basic needs also increased with shelter prices rising 3.6 percent over the year,  medical care (3.4 percent), electricity prices increasing 6.2 percent, and natural gas prices rising 13.8 percent.

Ultimately, while it is true that the stock market has been rallying, this is of little comfort to the many low- and middle-income families who do not benefit from investments and yet still face the price of rising costs.

One can only hope that the shutdown does not last long enough for the Administration to continue promoting fabricated economic news.