by Winston Wendell
October 28, 2026
During a campaign event in Texas, Trump sparked concerns after joking that with government stimulus money of $5,000 (which we will never get), people wouldn’t even get a hamburger and desert at Trump’s private club in Florida. Mar-a-Lago. Critics point out that Trump has made a bad showing of understanding the struggles of those in the working class. As well as being known over the years for portraying himself as an advocate for the everyman, mocking the expensive food prices at his resort seems off putting, especially in such a time of debate over whether people can afford to fill their tanks and purchase groceries.
This pricing concern has led many economists and critics of Trump to say that it is ironic given the actions of his administration. Increasing tariffs (such as agricultural and fuel products) means businessess have to pay more – causing everyone else to pay more also. However rather than focusing on fixing these problems, Trump used his rally speech to joke about how little $5,000 can actually buy now. Whilst the idea of giving every adult $5,000 if the republicans win congress back, Trump stated:
“If you get $5,000 you won’t be able to buy anything, except a hamburger and a little bit of desert. I don’t know if you’ll even be able to do that.”
While no one would refuse $5,000, which can be life-changing for families facing rent or food insecurity, joking about the exorbitant burger prices at the resort doesn’t enhance his image. This is particularly concerning given the political debate over cutting benefits like SNAP.
Donald Trump’s comments about the economic hardships don’t help his image in gaining the votes of people struggling to make ends meet. They serve as a reminder of the growing divide between the GOP and the people they’re supposed to represent, making it increasingly difficult to ignore.