Trump calls affordability concerns 'dramatic' as holidays near

Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News on Dec 9, 2025

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President Donald Trump accused a reporter of being “dramatic” when pressed on concerns Americans have amid the holiday season as prices continue to climb and increased health care costs could loom for many.

During a 45-minute interview with Politico, Trump was asked if people doing their holiday shopping should take into account the possibility of health care premiums becoming more expensive in the new year if Congress doesn’t extend Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire on Dec. 31.

“I’m going to have to see. I’d like to get better health care,” Trump replied. “I’d like to have people buy their own health care, get much better health care.”

Trump explained that he’d like to find a way to “give the money to the people to buy their own health care,” without making it clear how that might play out. Reporter Dasha Burns then laid out a scenario many families are now facing.

“So, right now, people are buying their holiday presents. They’re planning for ... ” she said, before Trump interrupted: “Look, don’t be dramatic.”

Burns attempted to pull the president back into the holiday shopping scenario, but he again told her to calm down.

“They’re planning their budgets for next year Mr. President,” she said.

“I know,” Trump defended. “And what I want to do is help them.”

Trump then accused the Democratic Party of working to enrich insurance companies and repeated that he wants to instead give money to U.S. citizens. But he wouldn’t commit to pressuring Congress to extend tax credits for ACA — also known as Obamacare — into 2026.

“I don’t know. I’m going to have to see,” Trump said.

Politicians on both sides of the political aisle have expressed concerns about rising health care costs. Democrats are trying to force a Thursday vote to secure a three-year extension for ACA subsidies. Many Republican lawmakers hope to present an alternative, but are yet to propose a plan.

When asked about one of his supporters who reported having a hard time making ends meet, Trump also told Politico that life in general is becoming more affordable.

“Prices are all coming down,” he said. “It’s amazing what we’ve done.”

According to Trump, many of the problems the country is seeing are the fault of the previous administration, which he continues to insist came to power by cheating in the 2020 election he lost to his predecessor, Joe Biden.

“There was a rigged election. Now everyone knows it,” he claimed once more without providing evidence. “It’s gonna come out over the next couple of months, too, loud and clear ’cause we have all the information and everything.”

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