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President Donald Trump told a rally crowd in Kalispell, Montana, that the United States has “very little inflation” — on the same day official data showed the annual inflation rate had climbed to 3.7 percent. Trump made the remarks during a campaign stop for Republican candidates, part of a final Western swing ahead of the midterm elections, now three weeks away.
At the rally, Trump painted a picture of a thriving economy. He told supporters that poverty is falling, incomes are rising, and more than $22 trillion is flowing into the country. “We’re richer now,” he said. “We’re making more money now than we ever — and we have more jobs than ever before.”
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Supporters Tell a Different Story
However, many of the people who came to see Trump described a very different financial reality. In interviews before Trump took the stage at Majestic Valley Arena, several supporters said rising grocery, housing, and fuel costs are putting serious pressure on their households.
Moneen Ahlquist, an 84-year-old homemaker from Missoula, said she now plans errands carefully to avoid unnecessary driving. “We shop at grocery stores where we can pump our gas and get a few cents off,” she said. For her, saving on fuel has become a regular part of daily life.
Megan Gurhlke, 44, works on a dairy farm and said three of her four family members hold full-time jobs. Even so, she said the household still struggles. “We can’t afford stuff because the prices are so bad,” she told reporters. “I represent the majority of our country. We barely make ends meet, but we push to do it.”
Jennifer Piperakis, 53, mentioned that filling her truck with diesel now costs her $200. “Gas prices are outrageous,” she said. Despite that, she expressed strong support for the president. “I love President Trump. I love what he’s doing for veterans. He’s not about himself. He’s about trying to help.”
Supporters Blame Biden, Not Trump
Notably, none of the supporters interviewed blamed Trump for the financial strain they described. Instead, many echoed Trump’s own argument that former President Joe Biden bears responsibility for high prices. Others said they are willing to wait for Trump’s policies to take full effect.
Gary Hanson, 67, owns a hardware store in Kalispell. He acknowledged that conditions are still difficult. “Right now, prices are getting worse,” he said. “It’s going to take a long time to turn everything around, and that’s what Trump is looking at.” His patience reflects a broader sentiment among Trump’s base — that relief is coming, even if it has not arrived yet.
Economic Message and Political Stakes
Trump’s core campaign message is that Americans are not struggling — they are prospering. In his Wednesday speech, he pointed to stock market gains boosting retirement savings. He also acknowledged high fuel costs but predicted prices would fall once the conflict with Iran ends. Defending his tariff policies, he argued they have generated significant national wealth. “We don’t have inflation,” he told the crowd.
Meanwhile, polling data suggests that voter dissatisfaction with economic conditions could threaten the Republican Party’s narrow congressional majority. Elections frequently turn on economic sentiment, and the gap between Trump’s optimistic framing and the day-to-day experiences of many voters may prove to be a defining factor in the weeks ahead.
