Donald Trump promised transparency when he took office. He even pledged to release the Epstein files and shine light on the darkest corners of the government. Still, just like so many of his promises, he broke it after he was sworn in, and now he’s breaking his word again by postponing the release of critical consumer spending data used to measure inflation, without giving a reason or setting a new date for its release. Instead of honesty, Trump delivers secrecy, spin, and cover-ups at the expense of American households.
Trump cares more about headlines than the livelihoods of the American people, and the headlines haven’t been good for him in September. Take a look at the last few weeks of major news about the Trump economy:
- U.S. Leading Economic Index (LEI) collapsed 0.5% in August, the largest decline since April, wiping out July’s modest uptick and signaling a slowdown that hits ordinary households hardest. Over the last six months, the LEI is down 2.8%, a clear signal of broad economic weakening.
- The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed that the price of life’s essentials keeps climbing for American families. CPI for all items rose in August, and in the last year, prices for all items increased 2.9%.
- The latest jobs numbers revealed a cooling labor market underscored by sluggish hiring rates, high levels of long-term unemployment, and thousands stuck in underemployment.
- According to a survey of the nation’s supply executives in the Institute for Supply Management’s latest ISM Manufacturing PMI Report, economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in August for the sixth consecutive month.
Instead of admitting failure and reversing course on his disastrous policies, Trump has once again chosen secrecy over transparency. Trump may be able to hide the data, but he can’t hide the rising prices causing major pain for American households each day.
New tariffs imposed by Trump are punishing American families. According to the Yale Budget Lab, Trump’s tariff tax is expected to push between 650,000 and 875,000 more Americans into poverty. The price level from all 2025 tariffs is estimated to increase by 1.7%, translating into an average income loss of roughly $2,300 per household this year. For families already stretched by rising food and housing costs, these losses hit hardest, draining their budgets and forcing tough choices about daily essentials.
Food prices alone are already surging, groceries cost more, seeing their biggest price hike latest month in almost three years. Housing, including rent and utilities, remains the single biggest driver of inflation, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the overall rise in consumer prices.
“Donald Trump is hiding the truth from the American people because he can’t handle the headlines,” said American Bridge 21st Century spokesperson Brandon Weathersby. “Every trip to the grocery store, every rent payment, every utility bill proves what he won’t admit: prices are rising, and his economy is failing. Instead of leveling with the country, he’s lying to the working class families he promised to fight for and be completely transparent with. When housing, food, and utility costs are rising faster than paychecks, hiding economic reports is an act of deception.”
Published: Sep 22, 2025 | Last Modified: Sep 29, 2025