This week marked the end of the first year of the second Trump administration, and hardworking Americans are feeling the consequences of its misguided economic policies. Despite Trump’s claims that this was the “greatest first year in history” for an American president, the latest economic data and public sentiment say otherwise. In the latest from CAP, we round up some key ways that the second Trump administration has made life less affordable for everyday Americans during its first year.
Trump claimed he would tackle inflation “on Day 1,” but Day 365 tells a different story. In the past year, the costs of everyday goods have increased due to the Trump administration’s chaotic tariff policies. Essentials such as household cleaning products and groceries cost more than they did a year ago because of tariffs, and the costs of building a new home or buying a car have increased. Trump’s tariffs are costing families an average of $1,700 a year—and that’s on top of rising health care and utility costs.
$25,000
The amount small-business importers paid more per month due to the tariffs from April through September 2025
$17,500
The increased cost of building a new home due to the Trump administration’s tariffs
$1,700
The annual cost of the Trump administration’s tariffs to the average household
Not only are essentials less affordable, but Americans are also struggling to find opportunities in Trump’s economy. In 2025, unemployment increased, leaving an additional 638,000 workers without jobs. The second Trump administration’s first year in office marked the weakest job growth outside of a recession since 2003, with only 584,000 jobs added for the full year, compared with more than 2 million in 2024. An overwhelming 85 percent of those jobs were created before Trump announced his signature Liberation Day tariffs in April 2025.
With increased costs of everyday items due to tariffs and fewer job opportunities, families are feeling the direct impacts of the Trump administration’s harmful economic policies. Are you better off than you were a year ago?
In solidarity,
Kennedy Andara Policy Analyst, Economic Policy Center for American Progress
A year in review: Trump’s policies have made life more unaffordable for everyday Americans
Kennedy Andara breaks down the Trump administration’s disastrous economic policies that have nearly 70 percent of Americans bracing for economic pain this year.
Trump Global Weakness Watch: How Trump Is Undermining American Power
Photo: Getty Images
Since January 20, 2025, the second Trump administration’s foreign policy has driven global chaos and corruption, while undermining American allies, costing American taxpayers, and strengthening America’s adversaries.
CAP’s “Trump Global Weakness Watch” tracker is a strategic initiative to expose how Donald Trump’s second-term agenda is accelerating the breakdown of American power. The tracker shows a clear pattern: The Trump administration’s decisions about security, the economy, and global influence make America weak, and Americans bear the consequences.
In just the first year of Trump’s second term, we have tracked 80 ways his administration is:
How Trump has profited from his return to the White House
While everyday Americans are facing increasing costs of living, Trump and members of his family have profited in historic ways since returning to the White House. In just the first year of Trump’s second term, he and his family have amassed more than $1.8 billion from cash and gifts. This includes earnings from cryptocurrency ventures, legal settlements, and in-kind gifts from foreign governments.
CAP created a tracker tool that highlights these earnings in real time, spotlighting the ways in which Trump and members of his family are leveraging the office of the presidency for their own personal gain. We should hold those in power accountable—no matter what.
ICYMI: Rahm Emanuel proposes 75-year maximum age limit for government positions
During his recent visit to CAP, Ambassador Rahm Emanuel announced a proposed maximum age limit of 75 years for positions in any branch of government as part of his plan to combat corruption and reestablish trust with the public.
He also discussed the need to refocus American K-12 education on outcomes over politics with CAP President and CEO Neera Tanden.
