Did Thanksgiving Feel More Affordable? Jean-Pierre: 'It's Not a Joke to Us,' Then Blames 'the Trump Administration' (November 27, 2023)

After the Thanksgiving holiday, a reporter asked the White House whether families had noticed lower prices. “On lowering prices. You said earlier that the actions the President has taken have worked. So, is it your sense that when people were home for Thanksgiving catching up with their family members, they were saying to each other, ‘Can you believe how much more affordable things have gotten?’” the reporter asked on Nov. 27, 2023 [1].

“So, honestly, I wouldn’t — I hear the question, but I want to make sure this is very clear. We take that very seriously,” Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre answered, according to the official White House transcript. “It’s not a joke to us. It is important to us.” [1]

Then she blamed “the Trump administration.” [1]

The video above shows the exchange at the Nov. 27, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official White House transcript, The Associated Press, the National Archives and GovInfo [1][2][3][4].

”Not Buying It”

“The data shows that the economy is improving. The data shows that households remain in a strong financial position,” Jean-Pierre said. “Household wealth is — is at a record high, with lower-income households seeing the largest gains since the pandemic.” [1]

The reporter pressed. “But why do you think it is that when you say the economy is improving and President Biden says the economy is improving that a majority of Americans outside of this building are not buying it?” [1]

“Because of the Trump Administration”

Jean-Pierre went back to 2021. “So, here’s the thing. When we walked into this administration, the economy was on a tailstin — a tailspin — that is the fact — because of the last administration, because of the Trump administration,” she said [1].

“We actually had to fix the problem that we saw that the last administration left us,” she said [1].

The reporter came back with a number. “But almost three years in office, inflation is up over 17 percent since President Biden came here. And you’re —” the reporter said, then finished: ”— saying that’s still Trump’s fault?” [1]

“Inflation — inflation is moderating because of the actions that this per- — this President has taken,” Jean-Pierre said. The reporter cut in: “Doesn’t that just mean that —” and ”— prices are going up slower?” Then: “They’re still high.” [1]

“It’s going down. The prices are going down,” Jean-Pierre said. She pointed to the holiday table: “I just talked about last week how turkey prices — a turk- — costs for turkeys is going down, the cost for eggs is going down because of the actions that we’re taking.” [1]

“They Want to Get Rid of Medicare”

She finished by turning on the GOP. “They’re trying to increase healthcare costs. They want to get rid of Medicare. They want to get rid of Social Security,” Jean-Pierre said of Republicans. “They want to make sure the millionaires and billionaires are — are actually getting the benefits, right?” [1]

“So, we understand that people are still not feeling it. We get that,” she said [1].

”Sagging Poll Numbers”

Another reporter asked about the campaign. “Given the President’s sagging poll numbers and the fact that he is currently placing behind any Republican opponent, has there been any talk in this White House about a change in strategy or staffing going forward in reflection of those numbers that continue to show him underwater?” [1]

“No,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

Asked about departures, she said: “Look, I can’t speak to people’s personal decisions. I just don’t — we don’t have anything to announce at this time.” [1]

“I Love Stevie Wonder”

A reporter Jean-Pierre called April brought up a singer. “Karine, I had an in-depth conversation with Stevie Wonder last night, who is — (laughter) —” the reporter began. “I love Stevie Wonder,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

The reporter said Wonder was requesting “a meeting with the President.” Jean-Pierre answered: “Again, I don’t have anything to share about a meeting with Mr. Stevie Wonder.” [1]

“Little Abigail”

The briefing came during a pause in the Israel-Hamas fighting for hostage releases. “But so too have the Israeli people benefited by the return of — of their loved ones and hostages. So too have the American people benefited now, with little Abigail back with her family,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said [1].

By the Numbers

17%: the rise in inflation since Biden took office, per the reporter [1].
$1.70: the drop in gas prices from the peak that Jean-Pierre claimed [1].
312-226: the 2024 Electoral College result, Donald Trump over Kamala Harris [3].
$6,000: the new deduction for seniors in the 2025 tax law [4].

What Happened Next

Biden did not stay in the race. On July 21, 2024, Biden wrote that “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down” [2]. Trump then won the presidency. The National Archives lists the 2024 result as “Electoral Vote Winner: 312 Main Opponent: 226.” [3]

Trump cut taxes for seniors. On July 4, 2025, Trump signed Public Law 119-21. For tax years beginning before Jan. 1, 2029, it allows “a deduction in an amount equal to $6,000 for each qualified individual,” meaning taxpayers who have “attained age 65” [4].

For the White House’s “Bidenomics” pitch that summer, see HYGO News’ page on June 27, 2023. For Jean-Pierre on Social Security and Medicare earlier that year, see the page on Jan. 20, 2023.