Trump's Thanksgiving Price Claims Draw Scrutiny
Former President Donald Trump became the subject of widespread online mockery this week after making controversial statements about Thanksgiving meal affordability and using an unusual choice of words during his remarks. The incident occurred during a press gathering in Florida on Sunday, where Trump spoke to reporters near Air Force One about grocery prices ahead of the holiday season.
The former president asserted that Thanksgiving meal costs have decreased significantly under his administration compared to the previous year under President Joe Biden. "I go to Walmart and other companies," Trump stated. "And in every case, it's about 25% that a meal ― a Thanksgiving meal and surroundings ― are 25% lower than it was under the Biden administration. That's a big fact."
Social Media Reacts to 'Surroundings' Comment
The unusual term "surroundings" immediately caught the attention of social media users, sparking a wave of humorous reactions across various platforms. Many questioned whether Trump meant traditional Thanksgiving side dishes when he used the puzzling terminology.
One X user joked, "Love to have a Thanksgiving turkey with all the surroundings," while another directly questioned, "Does shit-for-brains mean sides?" The platform formerly known as Twitter saw numerous users sharing memes and GIFs, including one featuring Homer Simpson with the caption "Mmmmm surroundings."
The online commentary suggested widespread confusion about what exactly Trump intended to reference with the word "surroundings." While some speculated he might have been referring to festive decorations, dinnerware, or other holiday-related items, the context of his Walmart meal deal comments led most to believe he was attempting to discuss traditional Thanksgiving side dishes.
Fact-Checking the Price Claims
Beyond the linguistic curiosity, Trump's assertion about grocery prices faced significant factual challenges. The former president had previously taken credit for a Walmart "holiday meal basket" deal that serves approximately 10 people for around $40, but closer examination revealed important caveats.
Multiple sources, including HuffPost Life analysis, indicated that Thanksgiving meal costs have actually increased this year compared to 2024. The investigation found that grocery prices are currently 2.7% higher than last year, contradicting Trump's claim of substantial decreases.
Further scrutiny of Walmart's 2025 meal package revealed that it contains fewer items and more generic products compared to the previous year's bundle, making direct price comparisons misleading. Economic experts pointed to several factors contributing to current food costs, including recent government shutdown impacts, SNAP program disruptions, and ongoing tariff disputes.
Jada Thompson, an associate professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness at the University of Arkansas, told HuffPost, "I can't think of anybody I've talked to who has recently not lamented about the cost of food at the grocery store, and the impact of your dollar not going as far."
The combination of questionable price claims and unusual vocabulary made Trump's Thanksgiving comments a focal point for both political criticism and online humor, demonstrating how holiday-related remarks can quickly become viral content in today's digital landscape.
