California Governor Gavin Newsom has recently criticized former President Donald Trump, alleging that he “betrayed the American people” by pointing to rising prices for beef, coffee, cars, utilities, and healthcare. However, an examination of recent economic data challenges these claims.
The price of ground beef reached $6.32 per pound in September 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While this is higher than previous years, industry analysts attribute the increase to a historically small U.S. cattle herd rather than federal government policy. Factors such as droughts, high feed costs, and export disruptions have contributed significantly to these price hikes.
Coffee prices have also risen globally due to weather disasters in major producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam. These supply chain and climate-related issues are seen as primary drivers behind the increased cost of coffee.
In terms of vehicle pricing, the BLS consumer price index for new vehicles rose by 1.3% over the past year. This modest increase contrasts with much larger spikes experienced during 2021 and 2022 when pandemic-era supply chain disruptions and semiconductor shortages affected production well before Trump returned to office.
Utility bills have gone up about 2.8% year-over-year, largely because of higher natural gas costs and state-level regulations. In California—where energy rates are among the highest in the country—these increases are often linked to renewable energy mandates and regulatory inefficiencies at the state level rather than federal policies.
Newsom’s statement that “healthcare is about to triple” does not align with current data; the medical care index rose only 3.3% in the last twelve months. During Trump’s administration, measures were introduced requiring hospitals to publish actual costs and allowing patients more options for comparison shopping on healthcare services—a move credited with saving Americans money on medical expenses.
California currently faces its own economic challenges: its unemployment rate stands at 5.5%, which is presently the highest among all states; housing affordability remains a concern; some small businesses have left; and electricity bills are nearly double those found elsewhere in America.
Nationally, inflation persists but has moderated compared to previous years—the overall consumer price index increased by 3% over the past year after peaking at around 8–9% under President Biden in 2022. Wages have grown alongside steady job growth as key industries show signs of recovery.
While Newsom continues his criticism of Trump’s record on economic matters, available data suggest broader global trends—and local policies—play a significant role in shaping current price levels across several sectors.
