Today, Defend America Action released a new report, first published by the Pennsylvania Independent, showing that Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have driven up the cost of nearly everything Pennsylvanians need while ripping away their health care and food assistance. The economy ranks as the commonwealth’s most pressing problem, and the average Pennsylvania family has spent an estimated $4,700 more on everyday essentials since Trump took office.
Trump promised to cut energy prices in half within a year. Instead, Pennsylvania families paid $210 more for electricity in 2025 than in 2024. His war with Iran has pushed regular gas to $4.45 a gallon, up $1.17 from a year ago, costing Pennsylvania households $548 more on average.
Grocery prices are more than 4 percent higher than when Trump took office, with ground beef at a record of more than $7 a pound. A Pennsylvania worker must earn $28.87 an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom rental. Trump’s trade war with Canada has also left the commonwealth with roughly $862 million in exposure to retaliatory tariffs, the most of any state.
Meanwhile, Trump and Republicans are ripping away the help families depend on. Over 235,000 Pennsylvanians have had their food assistance stripped away, and 105,250 have lost Medicaid or CHIP coverage. Nearly 202,000 more have cancelled their ACA coverage after premiums rose an average of 208 percent for those who counted on enhanced premium tax credits.
Pennsylvania families are paying more for everything while Trump and his billionaire buddies cash in.
A full copy of the report can be found here.
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