WASHINGTON, D.C. November 21, 2025 – White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted President Donald Trump’s economic agenda on Friday, crediting it with making Thanksgiving more affordable for millions of Americans this year through lower gasoline prices, reduced turkey costs, and upcoming tax relief measures.
Speaking from the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Leavitt touted several key metrics showing relief at the pump and the dinner table:
– The national average price of gasoline on Thanksgiving is projected to be the lowest since 2021, marking a significant drop from recent years.
– The cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner has fallen approximately 5% compared to last year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual survey.
– A 16-pound frozen turkey, a holiday staple, is down more than 16% in price year-over-year.
“President Trump’s economic policies are working to make Americans’ Thanksgiving more affordable this year – from their commute to the dinner table,” Leavitt said. “And more relief is coming in the months ahead.”
Leavitt also previewed additional benefits from recently enacted tax reforms, including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime pay, and no tax on Social Security benefits. A new analysis from Piper Sandler estimates these changes could deliver an average $1,000 increase in tax refunds next year, potentially leading to a record-breaking refund season for middle-class families.
The briefing comes as the Trump administration transitions into its second term, emphasizing deregulation, energy independence, and pro-growth policies as drivers of the improved economic indicators.
Critics have pushed back on some claims, noting that broader grocery inflation remains elevated and that global oil market dynamics have contributed to lower fuel prices. However, administration officials maintain that Trump’s energy and fiscal policies are the primary catalysts for the positive trends.
As families gather for the holiday weekend, the White House message underscores a theme of economic optimism heading into 2026.
