Fair is fair
Let's talk turkey
In a week-ago Substack, I criticized President Trump for putting on his best cheerleader act for Walmart’s 2025 Thanksgiving “bundle,” loudly crowing that groceries had gotten more affordable—ignoring how Walmart’s bundle included seven fewer items and swapped in more store brands than last year’s. In short, Walmart is giving you less for your money. Not exactly a consumer victory by my definition.
So let’s not take the president’s word, I said, especially since he tends to play hide-and-seek with the truth. Instead, I suggested, it would be smart to wait for real, apples-to-apples data from the American Farm Bureau and its annual price comparison of its standard Thanksgiving market basket.
The results are in.
The Farm Bureau says the cost of some Thanksgiving staples—turkey, cubed stuffing, fresh cranberries and dinner rolls—has dropped from last year, while some sides like sweet potatoes, green peas, veggie trays, milk and whipping cream have crept up. Pumpkin pie mix and shells? About the same.
The Farm Bureau table set for 10 this year will cost $55.18—$2.90 (or 5 percent) less than a year ago.
President Trump should be thankful he has some genuine facts to wave around. He needs them. His credibility is shrinking faster than Walmart’s Thanksgiving bundle.
Wow. I have never heard of any president or politician who plays “hide and seek” with the facts on any topic before. I am stunned. Hopefully this is an isolated incident and the public will never have to deal with any elected official at any level who is less than factual or cherry picks information to serve their own interests, agenda, narrative or to court favor with voters or their base. Just think if citizens and journalists and those who consistently voice their opinions in social media were to behave the same way and turn a blind eye to such dastardly tactics to advance their own beliefs!