A new survey has found that Americans are being squeezed by higher prices as they head into the holiday season, forcing them to cut back on gifts and delay purchases because of Donald Trump’s faltering economy.
The Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that a vast majority of U.S. adults have noticed increased prices for groceries, electricity, and holiday gifts in recent months. Roughly half say it is harder to afford presents, and similar numbers say they’re postponing big purchases or trimming nonessential spending more than usual.
Those bleak findings come as Trump has been downplaying concerns about the state of the economy, while simultaneously urging families to scale back on Christmas presents for their children. At a Pennsylvania event on Tuesday, he told supporters, “You can give up certain products,” citing “pencils” as an example before turning to children’s toys: “You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter.
My first-two-weeks-of-January paycheck hits next week, early because the university shuts down totally during the break. So technically I can afford some meager gifts, and to be current on my mortgage and utilities, but next month half my income will be gone already.
And I know a garnishment judgment for a bill I just cannot pay will hit soon, so that’s 25% of my pay gone.
Basically I’m OK now but 2026 is already shaping up to be a flaming financial disaster.