Let's talk about Trump’s Thanksgiving and more Trumpian math, 2 + 2 5....

episode
Belle of the Ranch 4 min 1 speaker 5 chapters transcribed 1 month ago
▲ 0

Transcript

jump: chapters · speakers · find in transcript
Transcript

Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

What claim did Trump make about Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal prices?

Belle of the Ranch 0:01
Well, howdy there, internet people, it's Belle again. So today we're going to talk about Trump's Thanksgiving and more Trumpian math. Two plus two equals five. Trump came out with the claim that Walmart says Thanksgiving meal prep is cheaper than last year. After, you know, Republicans got swept during the election by candidates who ran against his meager economy. This is an important talking point for Trump because he promised quote. When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on day one. Now, even though inflation on food is still well above target, and he has in fact not brought prices down.

Why is Walmart’s Thanksgiving bundle not a reliable economic data point?

Belle of the Ranch 0:51
He wants affordability to become a Republican talking point. He talked about Walmart's Thanksgiving meal and said quote. Affordability is a Republican stronghold. Hopefully Republicans will use this irrefutable fact. Irrefutable may not mean what he thinks it means. Okay, so this year Walmart is offering a Thanksgiving meal bundle for just under $4 per person. And Walmart says it's the lowest price since they started offering the meal plan a few years ago. Last year's was just under seven bucks a person.

What items changed between this year’s and last year’s Walmart Thanksgiving meals?

Belle of the Ranch 1:31
The problem of course is that this isn't an economic data point tracking the same products year over year. It's a smart marketing tool that provides shoppers with a shopping list for a meal. The items in the meal aren't the same as last year, so of course the price will be different. This is like saying last year I ordered three large pizzas from the pizza place, and this year when I ordered a medium pizza and wings, the price was different. Therefore, prices are down. Irrefutable. So What's the difference between this year's package at Walmart and last?

How does Trump use affordability and price cuts as a Republican talking point?

Belle of the Ranch 2:11
It looks like you're switching out your sweet Hawaiian rolls for normal dinner rolls. And instead of cranberry sauce, you're getting a lower weight of cranberries. You'll get a smaller portion of fried onions, half as much cream of mushroom soup, no pecan pie, no whipped cream, no marshmallows, no sweet potatoes, no muffin mix, no poultry seasoning, no chicken broth, no yellow onions, and no celery. But you do get stuffing this year, which was bizarrely absent last year. baby carrots, an extra can of green beans, and some Walmart brand mac and cheese. Oh and the turkey cost nine cents more per pound this year. But I feel like that's probably related to it being specifically a butterball turkey this year.
Belle of the Ranch 3:07
They're completely different meals.

What does the lower‑priced Thanksgiving bundle indicate about the economy?

Belle of the Ranch 3:10
Walmart's meal for this year isn't bad really, but it isn't comparable. This year's list has 15 entries for items. Last year it had 21 items on the site. I'll put the links down below. This doesn't show what Trump thinks it shows, said It's inconceivable that he's trying to make a direct comparison. Some might argue that a major retailer trying to cut the final price of their Thanksgiving meal basket might have something to do with them trying to find the happy spot with what the market will bear. Meaning them pushing out something at a lower price point indicates people can't or won't spend as much. That's not actually a good sign for the economy. Anyway. It's just a thought y'all have a good day.

Select any passage to copy it with its citation or turn it into a shareable card.

More from Belle of the Ranch