Staff Reports
As Easter rolls around, Republicans are blasting President Joe Biden for driving up the cost of the holiday since taking office. Inflation has been on the rise since Biden moved into the White House, reaching an annual price growth of about 9%. Although the price growth has dropped slightly, inflation remains alarmingly high, and Republicans are using the Easter holiday as an example of how much more expensive festive traditions have become under Biden’s presidency.
The House Budget Committee Republicans expressed their concerns over the soaring costs, pointing out that the Easter Bunny will be shelling out significantly more for dinner, treats, and Easter baskets this year. Families across America are feeling the pinch in their wallets as they prepare for Easter gatherings, with prices reaching an all-time high.
Republicans hit Biden for inflated cost of Easter holiday #NewsBreak https://t.co/iwKKE8ECG4
— Roxann Morrison (@RoxannMorriso20) April 2, 2024
While overall inflation has increased by 3.2% in the past year, the prices of specific food items associated with Easter have spiked even more. Egg prices, a quintessential Easter item, have surged by 8.4% in just the past month, far outpacing the overall inflation rate. Furthermore, the cost of eggs has shot up by a whopping 49% since Biden’s inauguration.
Additional Easter essentials like biscuits, rolls, and muffins have seen a 26% increase in prices, while ham prices have skyrocketed by 17%. Beef for roasting has also become nearly 30% more expensive. These staggering price hikes have been emphasized by the super PAC Make America Great Again Inc., which supports former President Donald Trump’s campaign against Biden. The group highlighted the dramatic increase in the cost of Easter-related foods since January 2021, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to underscore their point.
In addition to food, the rising cost of chocolates, made from cocoa, has caused further concerns for Easter holiday budgets. Cocoa prices have surged to record levels due to plummeting production in Africa, with prices ballooning 245% since last year. Despite the potential impact on chocolate prices this Easter, major companies like Hershey, Nestle, and Mars have managed to mitigate the risk of higher cocoa prices for consumers.
Moreover, the ongoing criticism of Biden’s economic management, particularly regarding inflation, has put the White House under pressure. Biden’s economic vision has been called into question as families continue to grapple with the burden of inflation. Although there are some positive indicators, such as rising consumer sentiment and declining inflation expectations, Biden’s economic approval ratings remain low, with only 37% of respondents expressing approval in a recent CNBC survey, albeit a slight increase from December.
As Easter draws near, the mounting costs of holiday traditions have become a political battleground, with Republicans placing the blame squarely on Biden’s economic policies. With inflation showing no signs of slowing down, the Biden administration faces an uphill battle in convincing voters that its economic vision is sustainable.
