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The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

Velshi: Trump doesn't have a plan for you if you’re struggling to afford basics

The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell

Lawrence O'Donnell, MS NOW

Congress, News, Washington, Senate, Versant, Policy, Politics, President, Ms Now, Government, Versant Media

4.45.9K Ratings

🗓️ 16 December 2025

⏱️ 43 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Tonight on The Last Word: New polls paint a bleak picture for the Trump economy. Plus, the weekly jobless claims hit their highest level in over four years. Also, Trump's redistricting push fails in Indiana. Rep. Brendan Boyle, Jared Bernstein, Charlie Sykes, Tom Nichols, State Sen. Shelli Yoder, and Rep. Maxwell Frost join Ali Velshi.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

All right, it used to be so easy for the reality TV guy when he could just stand in front of a prop table and lie.

0:09.3

When I win, I will immediately bring prices down starting on day one.

0:15.9

It's day 329.

0:17.6

And if you're struggling to afford groceries, utility bills, health care, housing, and transportation,

0:22.3

Donald Trump does not have a plan for you. Donald Trump doesn't have a plan for the nearly 50%

0:27.4

of Americans who, according to a recent Politico poll, find groceries, utility bills, health

0:32.7

care, housing, and transportation difficult to afford. 27% said they've skipped a medical checkup because of costs within the last two years.

0:42.7

23% say they've skipped a prescription dose for the same reason.

0:47.9

Donald Trump doesn't have a plan for you if you're one of the 55% who, according to a new NBC

0:52.5

news poll, have cut back spending on other things in order to afford necessities. Or the 53% who, according to a new NBC news poll, have cut back spending on other things in order

0:56.0

to afford necessities, or the 53% who have changed what groceries they buy in order to

1:02.8

stay within their budget. According to a recent Associated Press poll, the vast majority of

1:07.7

adults say they've noticed higher than usual prices for groceries, electricity, and holiday gifts.

1:13.4

This is what Donald Trump said today.

1:17.0

They talk about affordability and we're the ones that are bringing the prices down.

1:22.7

Prices aren't coming down, but that won't stop Trump from lashing out at voters for believing their

1:28.0

lying eyes. Donald Trump was whining about that last week on social media. When will I get credit

1:33.8

for having created with no inflation, perhaps the greatest economy in the history of our country?

1:39.0

When will people understand what is happening? When will polls reflect the greatness of America at this point in time

1:45.7

and how bad it was just one year ago? The New York Times reports, quote, restaurants that specialize

1:51.8

in steak, as we were just talking about, are feeling the same sticker shock as consumers and

1:56.5

grocery stores. As the price of USDA choice boneless steak has soared 20% in the past year

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