Why Was This Article Flagged for Fact-Checking?
This report was flagged for fact-checking after public statements by former President Trump declared that there is “no inflation”—despite widely reported price increases, particularly for food items like coffee and tomatoes. Readers have questioned the credibility of these claims, especially given the context of recent government data, trade policy shifts, and real-world price spikes. Our review addresses whether current inflation rates support the claim and if Trump’s trade and immigration policies are driving up prices as the article suggests.
Historical Context
Inflation—meaning the general rise in prices across an economy—has been a central economic concern for decades, shaping consumer confidence, political debates, and central bank policy. In recent years, inflation in the United States surged after the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking public debate about its causes, with global supply chain disruptions and fiscal stimulus playing key roles. Trade policy, especially tariffs, has also been closely watched, as tariffs on imports historically contribute to higher costs for consumers. Immigration policy impacts labor markets, particularly in industries like agriculture and food service, which often rely heavily on foreign-born workers.
Fact-Check of Key Claims
Claim #1: “There’s ‘No Inflation!!!’”
The article highlights President Trump’s recent statement on Truth Social declaring “No Inflation!!!” and contrasts it with official data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a monthly increase of 0.4% in consumer prices for August, putting annual inflation at 2.9%. This rate is slightly elevated compared to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target and marks the highest since January. Government figures, supported by independent economic analyses from sources such as the Federal Reserve and the Congressional Budget Office, confirm that inflation remains active, and prices continue to rise across major consumer categories in 2025. Thus, the claim that there is “no inflation” is factually incorrect.
Claim #2: “Coffee prices are up 20% because of Trump’s tariffs.”
The article attributes a sharp rise in coffee prices—up 20.9% year-on-year—to recent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, especially the 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee imports. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States imports the majority of its coffee, with Brazil as a key supplier. Trade data from July and August of 2025 confirms that a new 50% tariff was implemented on Brazilian coffee, contributing to higher costs for importers. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index confirms a one-month coffee price jump of 3.6%, the highest monthly increase since 2011. While other factors such as weather events and global coffee crop yields can influence prices, the timing and scale of these tariffs have been directly linked to the recent price surge by multiple independent economists and market analysts. Therefore, there is strong evidence that the recent tariffs contributed significantly to the price spike.
Claim #3: “Tomato prices are spiking because of new tariffs following the expiration of a trade agreement with Mexico.”
According to the article, tomato prices were up 4.5% last month, attributed to a new 17% tariff imposed on imported Mexican tomatoes. Historical trade data confirms that the United States has relied on Mexico for the majority of its tomato imports over the past three decades. In July 2025, a longstanding trade agreement (the Tomato Suspension Agreement) expired, leading to the imposition of a 17% tariff. Reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and trade associations confirm this policy change and show a corresponding spike in tomato prices. While some of the increase could be attributed to seasonal or supply issues, the introduction of tariffs has a documented, substantial impact on the price paid by U.S. consumers, supporting the article’s claim.
Claim #4: “Crackdowns on undocumented immigrants are driving up food prices by reducing the agricultural labor force.”
The article claims that heightened immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has led to more than 750,000 foreign-born workers leaving the workforce since January, citing estimates from the Pew Research Center. Independent labor statistics confirm declines in the number of foreign-born agricultural and food service workers, with farm lobbies and economic researchers noting labor shortages in key states. Academic studies from organizations like the Migration Policy Institute have validated that reduced immigrant labor availability tends to drive up labor costs, which in turn raises prices for food products. While economic models show that many factors affect food prices, the evidence supports the article’s assertion that tighter immigration controls are contributing to price increases in food sectors that depend on these workers.
Conclusion
Our review finds that the article accurately reports recent inflation trends, with official data confirming price increases across food categories and other consumer goods. Claims linking tariffs and immigration enforcement to rising prices are well supported by reputable economic research and government data. However, it’s important to recognize that some price changes may also be driven by broader supply and demand factors not entirely related to Trump administration policies. Still, the article responsibly traces the linkage between new tariffs, labor force changes, and higher consumer costs, offering essential context for readers. Although the tone of the reporting leans critical of current policy, the factual basis for the main claims stands strong.
