Trump Claims Inflation Solved While Criticizing Immigration at Pennsylvania Rally
Updated (2 articles)
Trump Holds Pennsylvania Rally on Dec 9, 2025 On Tuesday, Dec 9 2025, President Donald Trump addressed a crowd at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, during an event that resembled a campaign rally [1]. The appearance followed a White House announcement that Trump would travel to Pennsylvania earlier in the week to discuss inflation, though the exact venue had not been disclosed at the time [2]. The rally coincided with the post‑off‑year election environment, prompting the administration to spotlight economic policies ahead of the 2026 midterms [1][2].
Trump Declares Inflation No Longer a Problem Trump asserted that inflation had been eliminated and blamed Democrats for labeling affordability a “hoax” to damage his reputation [1]. He cited a chart comparing price increases under President Biden to those under his own administration, despite the national inflation rate tracking at 3% year‑over‑year, up from 2.3% in April after his import‑tax package [2]. The claim contrasts with an AP‑VoteCast survey showing 70% of Pennsylvania voters remain “very concerned” about food and grocery costs [2].
Immigration Comments Target Scandinavia and “Hellholes” During the speech, Trump questioned why the United States does not admit more immigrants from Scandinavia and labeled Afghanistan, Haiti, and Somalia as “hellholes,” echoing rhetoric first voiced in 2018 [1]. The remarks were delivered without policy detail, focusing instead on cultural criticism. Critics noted the statements diverge from the administration’s recent emphasis on economic issues [1].
Local Residents Express Skepticism and Low Approval Monroe County voters, which flipped to Trump in 2024, voiced doubts about his economic narrative, citing rising grocery bills and tariff‑related price pressures [1]. A November AP‑NORC poll recorded only 33% of U.S. adults approving of Trump’s handling of the economy [1]. The combination of inflation concerns and immigration rhetoric suggests mixed reception among Pennsylvania constituents ahead of the 2026 campaign cycle [2].
Sources
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1.
AP: Trump Blames Inflation, Raises Immigration Grievances in Pennsylvania Rally: Reports on Dec 9 rally, detailing Trump’s claim that inflation is solved, immigration criticisms, local voter reactions, and a 33% national approval rating for his economic management .
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2.
AP: Trump to Visit Pennsylvania to Discuss Inflation Efforts: Describes the planned but initially undisclosed Pennsylvania trip, notes 3% national inflation, 4% state unemployment, and voter concerns about food, health care, and gasoline costs, providing context for the later rally .
Timeline
2018 – Trump first raises immigration remarks questioning why the U.S. does not accept more immigrants from Scandinavia and labeling countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, and Somalia as “hellholes,” a theme he repeats in 2025 speeches [1].
2024 – Monroe County, Pennsylvania, flips to Trump in the 2024 presidential election, signaling a shift in a traditionally swing region that later fuels local support and skepticism at his 2025 rally [1].
April 2025 – Trump rolls out a sweeping set of import taxes aimed at protecting domestic industry, a policy he later cites as a benefit to steel and other sectors while critics link it to higher consumer prices [2].
Nov 2025 – Off‑year elections show a shift away from Republicans amid affordability concerns, prompting the White House to emphasize economic policies such as tariff hikes and tax cuts in the coming weeks [2].
Nov 2025 – An AP‑NORC poll finds only 33 % of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, contrasting with his claim that inflation is no longer a problem [1].
Nov 2025 – An AP VoteCast survey reports that 70 % of Pennsylvania voters are “very concerned” about food and grocery costs, with roughly half equally worried about health‑care and gasoline prices, setting the backdrop for Trump’s upcoming Pennsylvania visit [2].
Dec 4, 2025 – A White House official (anonymous) announces that Trump will travel to Pennsylvania on Tuesday to discuss ending the inflation crisis he says he inherited from President Biden, though the exact venue remains undisclosed [2].
Dec 9, 2025 – Trump delivers a speech at the Mount Airy Casino Resort in Mount Pocono, declaring that inflation is no longer a problem, accusing Democrats of a “hoax” on affordability, and reviving his 2018 immigration critique of “hellholes” while showing a chart comparing price increases under Biden and his own administration [1].
Dec 9, 2025 – White House chief of staff Susie Wiles tells “The Mom View” that Trump will hit the campaign trail in 2026 to mobilize low‑propensity voters, marking a departure from the usual practice of keeping the president out of congressional races [1].
Dec 9, 2025 – Local Monroe County residents voice skepticism: Lou Heddy notes rising grocery bills, Suzanne Vena blames tariffs for higher costs, and Nick Riley says the economic burden is felt regardless of party affiliation, underscoring the disconnect between Trump’s inflation narrative and voter experience [1].
Dec 9, 2025 – Economic data presented at the rally show U.S. inflation tracking at 3 % year‑over‑year, Pennsylvania unemployment climbing to 4 % (adding about 24,000 jobs lost), and Philadelphia‑area inflation steady at 3.3 %, highlighting persistent price pressures despite Trump’s claims [2].