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President Trump repeatedly points to a 25% drop in Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal costs compared to last year, but the comparison isn’t straightforward, analysts say.
Since Wednesday, Trump has highlighted Walmart’s 2025 Thanksgiving dinner package multiple times, claiming it demonstrates his administration’s economic success compared to his predecessor.
“Walmart just announced that Prices for a Thanksgiving Dinner is now down 25% since under Sleepy/Crooked Joe Biden, in 2024,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “AFFORDABILITY is a Republican Stronghold. Hopefully, Republicans will use this irrefutable fact!”
At a public event, Trump emphasized Walmart’s credibility in reporting these figures: “So Walmart, which everybody trusts and I trust and everybody trusts Walmart, they’re not looking to do anything except give the numbers and they have for many years.”
An analysis by KTTC confirms that Walmart’s 2025 Thanksgiving meal bundle does indeed cost less than the 2024 version – approximately $40 compared to last year’s $55, representing a 27% price reduction. However, this comparison requires important context.
The 2025 bundle contains significantly fewer items – 22 compared to 29 in 2024. Several products in this year’s package are also from Walmart’s own Great Value brand, which typically costs less than name-brand alternatives.
Walmart markets the 2025 meal as feeding 10 people at under $4 per person, while last year’s bundle was advertised as serving 8 people at under $7 per plate. The difference in portion size and product selection makes direct price comparisons potentially misleading.
The president’s focus on Thanksgiving meal affordability comes amid political setbacks for Republicans in Tuesday’s state and local elections, where Democratic candidates successfully campaigned on cost-of-living issues.
“Our groceries are way down, everything is way down and the press doesn’t report it,” Trump claimed this week. “The press reports whatever the con people say, you know, I call the Democrats con men and women. They make up numbers.”
Recent economic data presents a more nuanced picture than the president’s statements suggest. According to September’s Consumer Price Index figures, average grocery prices were approximately 2.7% higher than the same period last year and about 1.4% higher than they were in January when Trump took office.
The American Farm Bureau, which conducts a widely-cited annual survey on Thanksgiving meal costs, has yet to release its 2025 report. Last year, the organization calculated the average cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people at $58.08, or approximately $5.80 per person.
The focus on Thanksgiving dinner costs has become an annual tradition in American politics, with both parties often using these figures to support their economic narratives. Food economists note that holiday meal prices can be affected by numerous factors beyond general inflation, including weather conditions affecting harvests, supply chain issues, and retailers’ promotional strategies.
Walmart, as the nation’s largest grocery retailer, holds significant influence in the market. Its Thanksgiving meal bundles are carefully watched by competitors and often prompt similar promotions across the grocery sector.
Consumer advocates recommend shoppers compare prices across multiple retailers as Thanksgiving approaches, as promotional pricing often varies significantly between stores during the holiday season.
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16 Comments
Interesting to see how Thanksgiving meal costs have fluctuated under different administrations. Curious to understand the full context behind the 25% price drop – is it due to changes in the meal bundle contents or other factors?
Good point. The article notes the 2025 bundle has fewer items, so a like-for-like comparison would be helpful to fully evaluate the price changes.
It’s interesting to see how Thanksgiving meal costs have shifted under different administrations. The reported 25% drop is certainly noteworthy, but the article rightly highlights the need to consider the changes to the Walmart bundle over time for a more complete picture.
Exactly. Simple year-over-year comparisons can be misleading, especially when product compositions change. Kudos to the reporters for digging deeper into the details.
This is a great example of how political rhetoric can oversimplify economic realities. The 25% drop in Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal costs is noteworthy, but the article rightly highlights the need to consider the changes to the bundle over time for a more complete understanding.
Absolutely. Careful analysis and contextual reporting are essential when it comes to claims about consumer prices and economic performance. Kudos to the journalists for their diligence.
Thanksgiving meal costs are an interesting proxy for broader consumer price trends. The 25% drop is noteworthy, but the article rightly highlights the need to dig deeper into the specifics of the Walmart bundle to fully understand what’s driving the change.
Absolutely. Retail pricing is multi-faceted, and simple year-over-year comparisons can miss important nuances. I’m glad the report takes a more analytical approach.
This is a great example of how political rhetoric can oversimplify complex economic realities. While the price drop is real, the context around changes to the meal bundle is crucial. I appreciate the balanced reporting here.
Well said. Fact-checking and providing relevant context is so important, especially when it comes to claims about economic performance and consumer prices.
Thanksgiving meal pricing is a useful barometer for consumer trends, but as this report shows, the details matter. While the 25% drop is real, the article’s analysis of the Walmart bundle changes provides important context. Solid fact-checking work here.
Well said. Retail pricing is complex, and journalists play a crucial role in unpacking the nuances behind the headline numbers. This is a good example of balanced, thoughtful reporting.
This is a good example of how political narratives can gloss over important details. While the price drop is real, the changes to the Thanksgiving meal bundle need to be factored in to draw accurate conclusions. Kudos to the reporters for the thorough analysis.
Agreed. Parsing economic data and claims requires looking beyond the headline figures. This report demonstrates the value of critical, contextual journalism.
Walmart’s data is generally quite reliable, so it’s noteworthy that they’re reporting a 27% price reduction on the Thanksgiving meal bundle. However, the article rightly points out the importance of understanding the changes in the bundle contents over time.
Agreed. Retail pricing can be complex, with many factors at play. Careful analysis is needed to draw meaningful conclusions about economic trends.