https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/7/14/800069758/business-and-economy/trump-inflation-june-grocery-prices-iran-war/

Food prices aren’t very appetizing under Trump

by Oliver Willis

Staff

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT

3 Comments

Shoppers buy groceries Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn., ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the state over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) — Shoppers buy groceries earlier this year in Nashville, Tennessee, ahead of an expected storm.AP

The government’s latest report on inflation, released on Tuesday, shows that food prices rose even as overall inflation slightly decreased. But even that drop in inflation appears to be temporary since President Donald Trump has chosen to renew military actions against Iran.

The report’s main measure of the costs of goods and services, the consumer price index, was down 0.4% for the month, bringing the year-over-year inflation rate to 3.5%. But grocery prices went up.

The report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that “four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in June,” and that the overall measure of food prices in the survey’s index increased 0.2% in June, mirroring the 0.2% rise in May.

Prices for goods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products were up, along with costs for cereals and bakery products.

President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) — President Donald Trump, shown in January 2025.AP

The official government data echoes a report from the group Numerator released on Monday that consumer prices for everyday goods have gone up for three months in a row.

Rising grocery prices are a reminder that one of Trump’s key promises during his 2024 presidential campaign remains unfulfilled. He repeatedly asserted that grocery prices, which spiked as the country dealt with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, would go down on “Day 1.”

And the drop in energy prices in the survey may be something of a mirage.

“June CPI is a rearview mirror- the decline was real, but reflects prices from wks ago. new escalations have oil right back up, WTI over $80 today. nat avg $3.81 and climbing: $4 gas is days away, w/diesel headed back to $5,” noted Patrick De Haan, a gas-price expert with GasBuddy.com.

After a weekend of military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran, Trump announced on Monday that the U.S. would seize the Strait of Hormuz and declare itself “guardian of the strait.” His decision to attack Iran earlier this year is what has led to significantly reduced traffic on the strait, a critical passageway for oil tankers.

Trump has repeatedly failed to negotiate a diplomatic end to hostilities with Iran, continuing the drag his presidency has had on the domestic and international economy.

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#DonaldTrump #Economy #groceryprices #Inflation

Conversation

All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. The views expressed in comments are those of the individual authors and don't necessarily reflect the views of Daily Kos.

All Comments

Comment by Milwrob.
46 min ago
The sad thing is the number has in all likelihood been down graded to make it look "better". Tank bottom for the strategic reserve is coming if the Trump-Bibi Iranian war continues. Add that in April we hit a record of exportation of crude oil. Typical GQP government; during a war while reducing our strategic reserve sell more oil overseas to increase profit margins while screwing the American public. Oh America higher prices are coming!
Comment by jiminmaryland.
1 hr ago
There is the claim that overall food prices are up 3% this past year. That seems like a contrived number. The food I buy is up more like 30%. Canned goods, soups, fresh veggies and meat are up at least that much. Maybe they assume we switch to store brands is response but that is not a fair comparison.
Comment by Bob Love.
1 hr ago
No worries, the numbers will be massaged before the mid-term elections.
Comment by FreeSomeday.
1 hr ago
Imagine a government that did something about health care and a living wage. It's easy if you try. Remember 2015? Remember 2023?