Is the President Living in a Different America Than the Rest of Us?

© 2025 Santiago D.C. Maria. All Rights Reserved President Trump stood in the Oval Office this week and said something that stopped me in my tracks. With confidence—and a straight face—he told the American people that prices are down, groceries are affordable again, and gas is no longer breaking our wallets. According to him, “Everything’s down.” But I need to ask a serious question: What America is he talking about? Because here in the real world—our world—prices haven’t “come down.” If anything, they’re weighing heavier on us every single day. A gallon of milk still costs more than some people make in an hour. A trip to the grocery store feels like a gamble. And rent? It's becoming unlivable. Gas for your car? That’s now a luxury, not a given. And let’s not even talk about car insurance—it's eating up people's paychecks before the month even starts. We are not just surviving paycheck to paycheck—we’re surviving breath to breath. They’re Reading Data, But Not Living the Reality The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 0.2% increase in consumer prices in February. That’s a number that looks nice on paper. But numbers don’t tell the full story. They don’t capture the mom trying to make $40 feed her family for a week. They don’t reflect the elderly couple choosing between medication and groceries. They don’t consider how mentally exhausted and emotionally drained people are from constantly doing more with less. Sure, the “official” inflation numbers might be easing. But what about our daily struggle? That doesn’t show up in their polished reports. What they call “moderate increases” are wrecking families out here. Rent went up. Utilities went up. Medical bills went up. Hope is what’s going down. Gaslighting on a National Level When leaders tell us that life is getting better—while millions of us are barely hanging on—that’s not encouragement. That’s gaslighting. They aren’t listening. They aren’t feeling the pressure we’re under. They’re disconnected from the people they swore to serve. President Trump says everything is coming down. But here’s what I see going up: Frustration Depression Evictions Hunger Anxiety And yes, even anger Because it feels like we’re being lied to—again. A Reality Check for Washington Here’s a message for every politician trying to sell us fairytales: Come down from your podiums and walk our streets. Spend a day trying to make ends meet like the rest of us. Fill a cart at the grocery store with only $60 in your account. Try waiting 6 hours in an ER because you can't afford a private clinic. Then tell me prices are “down.” We don’t need more speeches. We need truth. We need real help. And we need leadership that doesn’t speak at us, but stands with us. We Are the Majority. We Deserve Better. This country is not run by the elite—it’s run by us. The working class. The struggling parents. The caretakers. The teachers. The soldiers. The disabled. The poor. The forgotten. The voices that the media and politicians only acknowledge when it's convenient for their campaign. We are the ones carrying the weight. And we’re tired. So no, Mr. President—everything is not “down.” What’s down is the trust we once had in a system that continues to fail us while pretending it’s doing us favors. We see through it. And we’re not staying silent anymore. Written with truth, fire, and love, Santiago D.C. Maria © 2025 Santiago D.C. Maria. All Rights Reserved