Donald Trump dismissed current affordability concerns as a "hoax" orchestrated by Democrats, contrasting it with his "A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus" economy, while his press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, defended his administration's economic record.Leavitt cited an eight-month average Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 2.5% during Trump's initial term and promoted American-made products, even suggesting parents buy fewer toys, despite critics pointing to persistent inflation and rising grocery prices.Critics including Joe Biden, Betsey Stevenson, Bernie Sanders, and CNN's Kaitlan Collins dispute these claims, highlighting misleading use of average figures and challenging the notion of a strong economy amid public unease.