Donald Trump was sharply criticized online after he gave a meandering answer devoid of substance to a supporter’s question about the cost of rent.
The former president phoned in to “Fox & Friends” Wednesday and took questions from voters at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.
“Out of eight children that I’m a father and a stepfather to, five of them are struggling, and I’m giving them part of my income on a regular basis,” said one voter, who had a “Trump 2024” patch on his vest.
“How are you going to make the economy — not just the food and electricity — but bring down the rent prices, the housing prices, so that these kids can survive without their parents’ help?”
Trump’s response included some of his best hits: grossly exaggerating inflation numbers, lying about the price of bacon and pledging to gut environmental protections and boost domestic fossil fuel production.
This Trump supporter says his kids are struggling to pay rent and asks Trump what he’d do to bring down the cost of rent. The response is so unbelievably bad.
— Read No Shortcuts (@JoshuaPHilll) August 7, 2024
But first, Trump kicked things off by celebrating that he probably has the support of “at least 99, perhaps 100% of” the people Fox News was speaking to at the event.
“We’re going to drill, baby, drill, we’re gonna bring down the cost of energy,” he went on, repeating one of his campaign mantras. “Energy’s what caused the worst inflation, I think, in the history of our country. Food prices are up 50%, sometimes more.”
“You look at bacon. Bacon has quadrupled. You can’t order bacon or anything. We’re living horribly,” he continued. “We have the worst inflation we’ve probably ever had in our country, and it started because of energy. We’re gonna drill, baby, drill.”
He also threw in a hard-to-interpret comment about China.
“And then we’re gonna have China, and all of these countries that were treating us good when I was there … it took me a long time to get them to behave properly, all of these countries are gonna again, stop like,” he added.
(Bacon prices have not even doubled, let alone quadrupled, since Joe Biden has been president, and inflation is nowhere near its highest rate in U.S. history).
Commentators on social media trashed Trump’s response, calling it “word salad” and a “non-answer,” and accused him of disregarding a genuine question with rambling nonsense.
See some of the reactions below.
Trump supporter: What are you gonna do about bringing down the rent? How are we gonna bring down the rent so that the kids can survive?
Trump: Drill baby drill… Look at bacon… China… https://t.co/d4cViRTIYl
— Tara Raghuveer (@taraghuveer) August 7, 2024
I don’t care if you’re red-hat Maga or a blue haired liberal, if you want a secure future in this country you have to realize this man has NOTHING. HE HAS NO ANSWERS. https://t.co/oTGMeSMZ9r
— TONY SNARK (@Yamscasino) August 7, 2024
this poor guy asked a valid question and had to listen to this used car salesman crook spew nonsense and lies. https://t.co/KF7DTSVXFY
— Seasons Over Sign Soto (@TheBabyMets) August 7, 2024
Answering with “drill baby drill” to a concerned supporter asking about rising rent prices is about as asinine as it gets. Americans deserve better! https://t.co/KKSd7FjEBl
— Derek Marshall for Congress (@DerekMarshallCA) August 8, 2024
I mostly feel courting right wing voters is a fool’s errand, but I think @KamalaHQ should take clips like this, post them, and then provide an actual answer. This man, as misguided as his choices or beliefs may be, has legitimate concerns we all share. https://t.co/Dhh5dyIewV
— Vince Underwood (@VinceUnderwood) August 8, 2024
I genuinely feel bad for this guy. Setting aside the fact that he still, for now, supports Trump, people all over are having struggles like this man. He asked a real, earnest question about how he and his kids are going to survive and Trump treated him like a press op. https://t.co/OTu8ZpfhqB
— @alishagrauso.bsky.social (@AlishaGrauso) August 8, 2024
Basically just repeats that everything went up, was better 4 years ago, gotta bring it down, doesn’t say how, ramble ramble nonsense 🤡 https://t.co/JymE4UETLE
— KD ⚡️ (@Kitten0fDoom) August 8, 2024
Q: what will you do about housing prices?
Trump: I’m so happy that everyone there supports me! Things were great when I was president! We’ll lower prices by drilling, drill baby drill. https://t.co/3cGs1K87TP
— farhad manjoo (former bluecheck) (@fmanjoo) August 8, 2024
Asking the ultimate greedy landlord, “What will you do to make landlords less greedy?”
Trump: “Bacon! Bacon will be cheap. Drill. China, remember China? Drill baby drill. Interest rates were great when I was president. Please don’t mention landlords again.” https://t.co/yTawEiIdIZ— Serene (@MythSerene) August 7, 2024
That’s how you lose votes, folks. That man had a genuine concern and was given a stupid, rambling answer full of greed and dollar signs. Amazing. https://t.co/NDpOK9xnaI
— Tiffani (@TiffaniDeems) August 8, 2024
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