Responses

Short answer: it depends which outcomes you care about and which Americans you have in mind. Here’s a concise, data-based snapshot as of September 16, 2026. Areas with clear improvement - Public safety: Violent crime fell sharply in 2025, the largest year‑to‑year drop the FBI has ever recorded; the Bureau also reports the decline continued into 2026. ([fbi.gov](https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/vi

Short answer: mostly no. In the U.S., the overall consumer price index was 3.4% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, and grocery prices (“food at home”) were up about 2.2% year over year. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) Some store items are cheaper than a year ago—for example, the dairy index was down 0.3% year over year in August, and egg prices were

Short answer: It depends what “improving” means to you. Here’s a concise, evidence-based snapshot as of September 16, 2026. Where supporters see improvement - Border security: Migrant encounters at the U.S.–Mexico border fell to multidecade lows beginning in early 2025 after policy changes (e.g., ending categorical parole, moves to revive MPP). CBP reported a 93% year‑over‑year drop in May 2025,

Here’s a concise snapshot as of September 16, 2026 (United States): Who runs Washington - President and vice president: Donald J. Trump (sworn in January 20, 2025) and JD Vance. ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Congress: Republicans control both chambers. Senate GOP holds 53 seats (Democrats 45, Independents 2). In the House, Republicans hold a narrow edge (218 R, 21

No, overall prices in stores are generally not lower than a year ago; they are higher, though the rate of increase (inflation) has slowed in many categories, and some individual items have declined. 1. [UNLINKED] [https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/01/fight-inflation-save-money-shopping/78050786007/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/02/01/fight-inflation-save-money-shopping/780

No absolute economic requirement exists for the minimum wage to automatically keep pace with the cost of living, but whether it should depends on policy goals, and the current U.S. federal level has fallen far behind inflation and basic living costs in most places. There are legitimate trade-offs, and evidence on effects is mixed.[[1]](https://www.britannica.com/procon/minimum-wage-debate) Curre

Generally speaking, no, overall prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. While the rapid rate of inflation has slowed down compared to the peak years of the early 2020s, prices are still rising. In macroeconomic terms, the economy is experiencing disinflation (prices rising at a slower pace) rather than deflation (prices actually falling). The most recent data from the U.S. Bur

Are store prices down from last year? I'll pull the latest inflation data. No — store prices are not lower than a year ago overall , prices are still higher year-over-year, though the rate of increase has slowed. Overall consumer prices (CPI-U) were up year-over-year: +3.4% since Aug 2025 +2.9% for the 12 months ending August 2025 +2.4% from February 2025 to February 2026 Food / g

Short answer: No—on average, prices are higher than a year ago. Details as of September 15, 2026: - Overall consumer prices rose 3.4% over the 12 months ending in August 2026 (latest CPI). ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/cpi09112026.htm)) - Grocery prices (“food at home”) are 2.2% higher than a year ago. Within groceries, some items fell (for example, dairy products down 0.3%

Short answer: it depends which outcomes you care most about. Here’s how key measures look under Trump’s second term so far (January 20, 2025–present), with the latest data as of September 15, 2026: Economy and prices - Jobs/unemployment: The jobless rate was 4.1% in August 2026, with payrolls up 162,000 that month. That’s historically low unemployment, though job growth has cooled. ([bls.gov](htt

No simple yes or no—the answer is mixed, highly subjective, and depends on which metrics, time frame, priorities, and groups of Americans one emphasizes. Donald Trump’s second term (inaugurated January 20, 2025) has produced clear, measurable changes in immigration enforcement, crime trends, deregulation, and trade policy, alongside ongoing economic pressures from tariffs, energy markets (includin

[[1]](https://www.bls.gov/cpi/)No, overall prices in stores are generally not lower than a year ago—they are higher on average, though the pace of increases has slowed significantly from the peaks of 2021–2023, some individual items or categories have declined, and retailers have used discounts/rollbacks more aggressively.[[1]](https://www.bls.gov/cpi/) Official US Data (Latest Available: August

Short answer: No — overall, prices are still higher than a year ago, though a few specific items have gotten cheaper. The big picture (overall inflation): The latest official data shows the all items index rose 3.4 percent for the 12 months ending August, as it did for the 12 months ending July. For food specifically, the food index increased 2.7 percent over the last year. Grocery store (food-

No, overall prices in stores are not lower than they were a year ago. In fact, they have continued to rise. While you may frequently hear news about "inflation cooling down" or "slowing," this refers to disinflation (prices rising at a slower pace) rather than deflation (prices actually dropping). The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights ho

I'll check whether store prices have fallen versus last year. No, prices in stores are generally higher than a year ago, not lower. Inflation is still positive year-over-year, though the rate has moderated. Most recent official data is August 2026, released September 11, 2026: The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in Augus

Short answer: it’s mixed, and it depends on which outcomes you care about. A few datapoints from Trump’s current term (January 20, 2025–today, September 14, 2026): - Jobs: The labor market remains fairly strong. In August 2026, employers added about 162,000 jobs and unemployment held at roughly 4.1%. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.htm?utmsource=openai)) - Prices and pay: Infla

Here’s a concise snapshot as of September 14, 2026 (U.S.): Who’s in charge - President/VP: Donald Trump and JD Vance (sworn in Jan 20, 2025). ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Congress (119th, 2025–2027): Republicans control both chambers; Speaker of the House is Mike Johnson; Senate Majority Leader is John Thune. ([clerk.house.gov](https://clerk.house.gov/Members/Vie

No, overall prices in U.S. stores are generally higher than a year ago, though inflation has moderated significantly from post-pandemic peaks, some categories/items are cheaper or flat, and retailers have actively cut prices on many products.[[1]](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/charts/cpi-cpirc1cpibycat.stm) Latest Official Data (as of August 2026) According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statist

Broadly speaking, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. While the historic spikes in inflation have cooled down, the economy is experiencing disinflation (where prices rise at a slower rate) rather than deflation (where prices actually decrease). On average, you are still paying more at the register than you did last year, though a few specific items have dropped in

Are prices down from last year? I'll check current inflation data to compare. No - in general, prices in stores are higher than a year ago, although the rate of increase has slowed. As of the latest data available September 13, 2026: Overall consumer prices are higher year-over-year. The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment over

Short answer: generally no. - As of the latest data (August 2026, released September 11), overall consumer prices are 3.4% higher than a year earlier. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.htm)) - Grocery prices (“food at home”) are 2.2% higher than a year ago; a few items fell (for example, dairy is down 0.3% year over year), but most categories are up. ([bls.gov](https://www.bls.gov/n

Short answer: It depends on which outcomes you care about. As of September 2026, here’s what the best available data shows since President Donald Trump (the 47th U.S. president) took office on January 20, 2025. ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Jobs and pay - The unemployment rate is low by historical standards (4.1% in August 2026) and payrolls rose by 162,000 that

To determine if prices in stores are lower than a year ago, I'll check recent inflation data, CPI figures, and retail price trends.The initial results show mixed trends depending on the period and category. I'll fetch the most recent official US CPI data and details on goods vs. services.No, overall prices in stores are not lower than a year ago—they are higher on average, though the picture is mi

Generally speaking, no, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. Instead, what the economy is experiencing is disinflation—which means that prices are still going up, but they are rising at a slower, more stable pace than the dramatic spikes of previous years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, consumer prices rose 3.

Short answer: it depends on what “improving” means to you. Here’s a neutral snapshot as of September 12, 2026: Ways supporters say he’s making government more responsive or efficient - Civil service shake‑up: Trump reinstated and revised a version of “Schedule F” (now “Schedule Policy/Career”) on January 20, 2025; OPM finalized the rule on February 6, 2026. It lets the White House reclassify cer

Short answer: It depends which outcomes you care about. Some nationwide indicators have improved during Trump’s current term, while others are flat or worsening. What’s improved - Crime: The FBI reports 2025 saw the biggest one‑year drop in violent crime since national estimates began (violent crime rate down roughly 10% and murders down about 18% versus 2024), with preliminary declines continuin

Short answer: generally no. As of the latest CPI report for August 2026 (released September 11, 2026), overall consumer prices were 3.4% higher than a year earlier, not lower. Grocery-store prices (“food at home”) were 2.2% higher year over year, though a few categories did decline (for example, dairy was down 0.3%). If by “stores” you meant nonfood retail goods, prices for goods excluding food an

I'll check recent inflation and retail price data to compare current store prices with those from a year ago.Latest official data confirms overall prices remain higher year-over-year. I'll pull a few more specifics on store/retail categories.No, prices in stores are generally not lower compared to a year ago—they are higher overall, though inflation has moderated and some specific categories or it

No, overall prices in stores are not lower compared to a year ago. Despite inflation slowing down from its pandemic-era peaks, prices on most consumer goods have continued to rise, meaning they are higher on average than they were in 2025. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the USDA, the reality of retail prices paints a mixed but generally more expen

Will AI add or erase jobs? I'll gather the latest research on how it's reshaping employment. On balance, most major forecasts predict AI will both create and take away jobs — but create slightly more than it displaces — while transforming far more jobs than it eliminates. The answer depends on timeframe, occupation and skill level: 1. The consensus forecast: Net creation, but large displacemen