This year, as in the months before, rising food prices continue to squeeze American families.
As the United States celebrates its 250th Independence Day, one of the country’s biggest grilling holidays, the Wells Fargo Agri Food Institute estimates that the cost of hosting a summer barbecue for 10 people will rise 2.4% from last year to $161. Ground beef alone is up 14%.
“There is no real lever to pull in the domestic market to get more supply in the short term,” said Michael Swanson, Wells Fargo’s chief agricultural economist.
The average retail price of one pound of lean ground beef reached a record $8.62 in May, more than 12% higher than a year earlier, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Economists say the price surge is being driven by a prolonged drought that has scorched pastureland, increased cattle feed costs, and forced ranchers to reduce their herds. Many have delayed rebuilding because of renewed dry conditions and wildfires that have destroyed even more grazing land.
Brenda Masek, a cattle producer in Nebraska, said she has no plans to expand her herd despite recent rainfall.
“Right now, I’m just happy if I can hold on to what I’ve got,” she said.
But for one Republican lawmaker, the problem isn’t the economy. It’s Americans’ work ethic.
Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, one of President Donald Trump’s strongest allies in Congress, was asked how Republicans plan to convince voters they are addressing the rising cost of living, which consistently ranks as Americans’ top economic concern ahead of the midterm elections.
A reporter asked him directly:
“Do you think the 60% of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck can afford lobster tails and rib-eyes?”
Nehls’ response immediately drew criticism.
“Maybe not,” he replied. “Maybe the 60% of Americans don’t work as hard as I do. I don’t know.”
Without being prompted, Nehls then boasted about his own Fourth of July plans.
“I’m gonna go tomorrow and get me a couple of big lobster tails. I’m gonna get me some nice rib-eyes. I’m gonna sit in my backyard with my family and my neighbors, and we’re going to celebrate the Fourth… celebrate 250 years… and celebrate the greatest president of my lifetime, Donald J. Trump.”
Meanwhile, inflation continues to push up the cost of holiday staples.
According to the latest Consumer Price Index, annual inflation has climbed to 4.2% after the conflict with Iran drove up energy prices and increased costs across the economy.
A report from Groundwork Collaborative found that ground beef prices have jumped more than 20% since last summer, while Ball Park hot dogs are up 13%.
Despite those increases, Nehls praised Trump for taking on price gouging and dismissed higher gas prices as a “temporary issue,” even as projections suggest fuel costs could remain elevated through the end of the year.
His remarks come as Trump’s economic approval rating continues to struggle. According to a recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, only 33% of American adults approve of the president’s handling of the economy.
For many critics, Nehls’ comments are the latest example of how disconnected Republican leaders have become from the financial struggles facing millions of Americans.
Trump has previously dismissed concerns about affordability as a Democratic “hoax” and recently said that when making decisions related to the conflict with Iran, “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation.”
