Post Reports – "Trump calls affordability a 'hoax'; Democrats take note"

Date: December 12, 2025
Hosts: Colby Yakovic, with Dan Marika and Matt Visor
Podcast: The Washington Post

Episode Overview

This episode centers on President Trump’s shifting messaging and strategy around economic affordability—an issue increasingly central to everyday Americans. The hosts analyze how Trump is addressing voter concerns about the rising cost of living, the political risks his comments create (especially his claim that affordability is a "hoax"), and how Democrats are looking to capitalize on these vulnerabilities ahead of the 2026 midterms. The conversation also explores recent Democratic electoral momentum, the political implications of healthcare premium hikes, and includes a listener question about Texas politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Trump’s Mixed Messaging on Affordability

• Trump’s recent “affordability tour” marks a pivot back to domestic economic concerns after a year focused on international affairs.
  • Matt Visor (01:42): "It's an effort for Trump to start talking a little bit more about economic concerns among the electorate, something that's kind of been on the back burner."
• The motivation for the tour is clear acknowledgment from the White House that rising costs are a growing political liability.
  • Dan Marika (02:52): "The fact that they even launched this tour seems to suggest that they realize that this is a growing problem for the White House."
• Polling reflects Trump’s struggle: 62% disapprove of his handling of the economy (03:04).

Affordability as a Political Weakness

• Democratic strategists are collecting sound bites for attack ads, notably Trump’s “affordability is a hoax” comment and his repeated inflated grades of his own economic performance.
  • Dan Marika (03:16): "When Donald Trump goes on camera and says that affordability is a hoax...they’re just hitting record on all those moments and you can expect to see them in attack ads later in the cycle."
• Both Trump and Biden have struggled to connect with the public on real economic pain.
  • Matt Visor (05:08): "I think that's hard for a president to sort of do the 'I feel your pain' kind of attitude that Bill Clinton, I think, channeled."
  • Trump emphasizes stock markets and 401ks—less relatable to many struggling voters.

Trump’s Pennsylvania Event: Scene & Substance

• Event held at Mount Airy Casino Resort, chosen for its location in a politically pivotal Pennsylvania county.
  • Matt Visor (06:09): "There is a large casino floor where people are smoking, carrying their Dunkin Donuts inside...Trump’s event is in a ballroom next to that."
• Trump attempted to focus on affordability and economic charts but soon digressed into other topics—climate, culture wars, media criticism.
  • Matt Visor (07:18): "He talked about climate change, transgender issues, made fun of the media...even how he talked about affordability, sort of referring to it as a Democratic hoax."
  • Donald Trump (08:26): "They have a new word. You know, they always have a hoax. The new word is affordability."

Voter Perspectives from the Ground

• Matt Visor visited a local grocery store and the casino floor; nearly all voters cited cost-of-living increases as top concerns.
  • Matt Visor (10:02): "Anyone you approached and asked how the economy is doing...immediately, it's energy prices are up. The meat over in the meat aisle is, is way up."
• Supporters are willing to give Trump more time, while critics blame him for economic woes.
• Affordability is a deeply personal issue; economic pain is immediate and memorable for voters.
  • Dan Marika (11:26): "We've covered elections...but none, like affordability, do. So you can talk to somebody at the penny slots in Pennsylvania and they can remember that, oh my gosh, my energy bill was $30 higher."

Healthcare Premiums and Political Risks

• Healthcare costs are rising; recent government shutdown failed to resolve whether ACA (Affordable Care Act) subsidies would be extended.
  • Colby Yakovic (12:46): "Millions of Americans are seeing their healthcare premiums rise...nearly 25 million Americans either have to pay extremely higher premiums or maybe choose to forego their health care in 2026."
• A Senate vote on both Republican and Democratic plans to address the subsidies is expected to fail.
  • Dan Marika (13:33): "Both are expected to fail, which really raises this question about what did the Democrats get out of the shutdown..."
• Democrats are positioning affordability as the central election issue—"It's affordability, stupid," paraphrasing James Carville’s famous line from 1992 (14:22).

Democratic Momentum in 2025 Elections

• Democrats have outperformed expectations in several recent races, notably:
  • Special House election in Tennessee: Democratic candidate Afton Bain narrowed the gap in a deep-red district by focusing on affordability (17:45).
  • Miami mayoral race: Democrat won by about 19 points, in a region that recently trended Republican (18:58).
• Democrats sense political “wind at their back,” driven by the resonance of affordability issues.
  • Dan Marika (19:59): "Democrats think and sense they have momentum...in large part because of the way they're performing in these elections, backed by that affordability message."

2026 Midterms Outlook and Republican Concerns

• Trump acknowledges midterm losses are common for incumbent presidents, perhaps preparing supporters for possible setbacks.
  • Donald Trump (20:37): "When you win the presidency, you seem to lose the midterms. Even if you win...and you do a great job as president."
• Analysts see the 2026 midterms as an early test for the post-Trump Republican Party—especially given his limited campaign involvement in recent races.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s grades of his economic performance:
  Dan Marika (03:16): "His economy, the rating for his economy would be an A plus plus plus plus plus. That's five pluses for those counting."
• On the personal nature of affordability:
  Dan Marika (11:26): "All of those [issues] have some impact on a voter's life, but none, like affordability, do."
• On Trump’s disconnect with struggling voters:
  Matt Visor (12:03): "The way that Trump talks about it, he doesn't talk about it in a visceral way that necessarily connects with some of those people." Donald Trump (12:15): "It's really going up big. It's called the stock market. And your 401ks is going up."
• On healthcare politics:
  Dan Marika (14:22): "You could write on a board in Little Rock or wherever, this election, it's affordability stupid."
• On enduring Democratic skepticism about Texas:
  Dan Marika (23:08): "It has been, I believe, since 1994 since a Democrat has won statewide in Texas. It is a deep red state despite Democrats who for the last 15 years have said Texas is going to go blue. It has not gone blue."

Listener Question: The Texas Senate Race (22:31–24:59)

• Question from John Moore (Asheville, NC): Will Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s entrance into the Democratic Senate primary hurt the Democrats’ chances in Texas?
  • Dan Marika explains that Crockett, a progressive "firebrand," could energize the base but push the primary left, raising doubts about general election electability in a traditionally conservative state. However, 2026 could be a strong Democratic year, so a breakthrough isn’t impossible.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump’s Affordability Tour and Polling Data: 01:32–03:16
• Democratic Strategists on Attack Ad Material: 03:16–04:05
• Presidents’ Struggles Acknowledging Economic Pain: 04:12–06:00
• Scene from Trump’s Pennsylvania Event: 06:09–08:26
• Trump Calls Affordability a 'Hoax': 08:26–08:48
• Voter Reactions from the Casino/Grocery: 09:45–11:26
• Trump’s messaging doesn’t resonate: 12:03–12:46
• Healthcare Premiums/ACA Subsidies: 12:46–15:33
• Democrats Seizing Affordability as Election Message: 13:33–15:10
• Recent Democratic Election Performance: 17:28–19:59
• Midterm Election Headwinds for Republicans: 20:20–22:31
• Texas Senate Race Listener Q&A: 22:31–24:59

Tone and Language

The conversation is analytical but conversational, mixing data with anecdotes and on-the-ground reporting. Commentary is nuanced, with occasional humor (especially about Trump’s tendency for hyperbole and the peculiarity of monetary policy speeches in casinos).

Summary Takeaways

• The affordability issue—rising costs of living and fading middle-class security—is dominating the political conversation as both parties maneuver for advantage ahead of the 2026 midterms.
• Trump’s remarks, particularly dismissing affordability as a hoax, have handed Democrats potent material and highlighted his apparent disconnect from struggling voters.
• Democrats are buoyed by recent electoral surprises and are crafting affordability as their core campaign message.
• Healthcare costs and subsidy lapses remain unresolved, setting the stage for continued voter anxiety and political volatility.
• Listener questions reveal ongoing skepticism about Democratic prospects in deeply conservative states, despite the prevailing momentum.

This episode provides a multifaceted look at how messaging, ground sentiment, and real policy debates will shape the coming battles for control in Washington.