Bipartisan Trump critics highlighting rising costs
A bipartisan group of President Trump's critics is launching a new coalition seeking to counter the Trump administration's messaging on the economy by highlighting rising costs since Trump returned to office just over 100 days ago.
The group, dubbed the Cost Coalition, will showcase stories of everyday Americans who say the president's policies are harming them personally and will lift 'up the voices of community leaders who see Trump's financial damage and broken promises firsthand,' according to a press release.
'We support common-sense policies that secure economic opportunity for the middle class, and are outraged at a president who is taking advantage of hard-working families for his own benefit,' the release reads.
The group is expected to highlight 'growing economic burdens' — including rising costs of groceries, gas, homeownership, child and elder care — which, according to the group, 'are putting the American Dream out of reach for hardworking families in every state.'
The critics are also targeting Trump on his tax plan, workforce cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), his sweeping tariff policies and rollbacks of certain aspects of Biden administration laws like the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.
'The affordability crisis is being worsened by a billionaire president intent on enriching himself at the expense of the Americans he guaranteed he'd help; and by an out-of-touch Congress beholden to the Washington swamp,' the press release continued.
The group will be active in Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in 2025 and expand into other areas in 2026. Their main push will come through social media, press interview, events and paid advertising, per the coalition.
Members will also directly 'call out supporters of policies that are increasing prices, inflation, and the national debt, while reducing economic growth.'
The group is made of various political operatives and former congressional aides who have worked for both parties and faith and military community outreach staffers.
The group includes two communications advisers: Democrat Andrew Bates, who was former President Biden's senior deputy press secretary; and Republican Terry Holt, who served as a spokesperson for former President George W. Bush's campaign and for former House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).
'In 100 days, Donald Trump put the best-performing economy in the world on a crash course toward recession. Trump's tariffs — the biggest middle class tax hike in modern history — are making everyday prices skyrocket and wreaking havoc for businesses large and small,' Bates and Holt said in a joint statement. 'Next up are grossly inflationary tax cuts for the wealthy that will only saddle future generations with staggering debt.'
'Whether you're a Republican, Democrat, or anything else, Donald Trump's agenda is an economic crisis threatening your livelihood and standard of living,' they added.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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