Trump Adviser’s Walmart Thanksgiving Claims Face Rigorous Fact Check

In a tense exchange on Sunday’s episode of “This Week,” White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett faced direct questioning about President Donald Trump’s recent claims regarding Thanksgiving meal costs, exposing discrepancies in the administration’s economic messaging.

ABC’s Jonathan Karl confronted Hassett over Trump’s assertion that Thanksgiving meals are 25% cheaper now than they were a year ago under former President Joe Biden. “So, the president claims that Thanksgiving costs are down 25 percent. I mean, does he know that’s not true?” Karl asked bluntly.

Hassett began referencing Walmart’s Thanksgiving package pricing, a comparison Trump has repeatedly highlighted in public remarks, but was swiftly interrupted by Karl with a fact check that has since gained significant attention.

“Wait a minute, I got to stop because the Walmart comparison’s like not a thing,” Karl interjected. “Walmart had a Thanksgiving package last year. They’ve got a Thanksgiving package this year. The one this year contains much less than what the one last year it took. So that’s why the price is less.”

The host proceeded to explain that last year’s Walmart package contained 21 products, while this year’s includes just 15 items. Karl also pointed out that the current package features more generic brand products rather than name brands, making direct price comparisons misleading.

“So, I mean, Thanksgiving—if you’re going to the store to buy groceries for Thanksgiving, it’s going to be more expensive this year,” Karl concluded.

When pressed further, Hassett pivoted to blaming the Biden administration for current economic conditions, prompting Karl to remind him: “He’s not president. Donald Trump’s president.” Hassett responded by characterizing the current economic situation as “the hole that Joe Biden dug” that the Trump administration is now attempting to address.

The exchange highlights ongoing debates about food inflation and consumer costs that continue to concern many Americans. According to retail data, Walmart’s 2025 Thanksgiving meal package is advertised as serving 10 people for $40, averaging $4 per person. In contrast, last year’s offering was marketed as feeding eight people for $56, or approximately $7 per person.

However, the critical context missing from the administration’s claims is that the composition of these meal packages has changed significantly. The current year’s package includes fewer items overall and relies more heavily on store brands rather than national brands, making straight price comparisons potentially misleading for consumers.

Food prices remain a politically sensitive issue as many Americans continue to feel the effects of inflation across their household budgets. While inflation has moderated from its peak, grocery prices remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels, affecting consumer sentiment heading into the holiday season.

Economic analysts note that while certain individual food items may have seen price decreases, the overall cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings continues to present financial challenges for many families. The American Farm Bureau Federation, which conducts annual surveys of Thanksgiving meal costs, has consistently found that holiday meal expenses have remained higher than historical averages in recent years.

The back-and-forth between Karl and Hassett underscores the challenges facing the administration as it attempts to shape public perception about economic conditions while consumers continue to experience pricing pressures at retail stores nationwide.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the discussion around food costs is likely to intensify, with both political implications and real-world impacts for American households planning their holiday gatherings.