Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Allentown, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, December 16, to promote the Trump administration’s economic agenda. This visit aligns with President Donald Trump's recent tour stop in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he highlighted his economic policy achievements. The administration's focus on economic messaging comes after President Trump dismissed the so-called affordability crisis as a Democrat fabrication, despite some concerns from his own supporters.
During his Pennsylvania appearance last week, President Trump spoke for over 90 minutes, reassuring supporters of the economic improvement under his leadership. The President cited declining energy, gas, and electricity prices as indicators of economic progress. Moreover, he pointed to the reductions in food costs and egg prices as areas where consumers should feel financial relief. President Trump has consistently labeled affordability concerns as a Democrat "hoax," suggesting that members of the opposition have created economic issues while pretending to address them.
Vice President Vance's upcoming remarks are expected to mirror President Trump's talking points on the economy and the cost of living. A spokesperson for the Vice President confirmed that Vance will stress the administration’s commitment to making America affordable again, deeming it the top priority moving forward. The spokesperson also highlighted the administration's achievements, including tax cuts for working families and significant investments in the American economy.
The Republican Party has been refining its messaging strategy on affordability issues since the November elections. The Democrats had secured key victories by focusing on the cost of living as a central campaign theme. Despite the administration's positive outlook, public opinion data indicates that economic concerns persist among Americans. A recent Politico poll revealed that 46 percent of Americans perceive current cost of living conditions as the worst in their memory. Among Trump supporters from the 2024 election, 37 percent share this negative economic sentiment.
The poll, conducted between November 14-17, surveyed 2,098 adult participants and reported a margin of error of 2 percent. This data underscores the challenge the administration faces in convincing a segment of the population of the economic strides made during President Trump's tenure.
