Democrats’ Affordability Talking Points Fall Apart: CPAC Senior Fellow Mercedes Schlapp on The Right Squad

The theme of “affordability” has dominated the media cycle in recent weeks, becoming a central rallying cry for Democrats as they work to attack President Trump’s handling of the economy. Their message focuses heavily on the claim that Americans are struggling under the weight of the cost-of-living and that President Trump is failing to address the nation’s economic challenges.

CPAC Senior Fellow Mercedes Schlapp pushed back on this narrative, appearing on The Right Squad on Newsmax, arguing that the root cause of today’s affordability crisis lies in the policies of the previous Biden Administration. She pointed to the inflation surge, higher interest rates, and the elevated cost of living that took hold during Biden’s term, stressing that the Trump Administration inherited an economy weakened by years of fiscal mismanagement. Schlapp emphasized that reversing those policies and restoring economic stability will require time, but she noted that the administration remains committed to doing exactly that.

Schlapp brought attention to the plights of many "Gen Z" young adults, a demographic entering the workforce but encountering unprecedented financial obstacles. Many of these young Americans are eager to settle into careers, build savings, and transition into homeownership and independence, yet they find themselves facing steep housing prices, high mortgage rates, and wages that have not kept pace with inflation. Schlapp pointed to these trends as clear evidence of how damaging Biden-era policies are to young professionals trying to establish long-term stability.

Schlapp highlighted that the Biden Administration oversaw inflation that climbed as high as nine percent — a burden that Americans are still working to recover from. “We are dealing with trying to come down and survive from this 9% inflation, brought upon us by, yes, Joe Biden and their reckless economic policies. It’s going to take time to right the ship,” she said.

Her message underscored the challenges ahead: stabilizing the economy, lowering costs, and restoring affordability will require a deliberate and sustained effort. Schlapp maintained that the Trump Administration is focused on implementing policies to ease the financial strain on families, support job growth, and strengthen economic opportunities for Americans of all ages.