Politicians and pundits criticized the White House’s social media post on Thursday informing people that the cost of Fourth of July celebrations will be lower in 2021 compared to 2020.
While the White House drew attention to the slight drop in some food prices, it failed to highlight food items that have risen in price. These include hamburger buns, potato salad, chicken breasts, chocolate chip cookies, and strawberries, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.
“The cost of a 4th of July cookout in 2021 is down $0.16 from last year,” the tweet read, using a quartet of puns to praise President Joe Biden’s economic plan.
“Planning a cookout this year? Ketchup on the news. According to the Farm Bureau, the cost of a 4th of July BBQ is down from last year,” it continued. “It’s a fact you must-hear(d). Hot dog, the Biden economic plan is working. And that’s something we can all relish.”
The accompanying slideshow showed foods that dropped in price over the past 12 months.
“32 oz. pork & beans – $1.90. Down 13% from last year. Source: The Farm Bureau,” the next slide read.
Planning a cookout this year? Ketchup on the news. According to the Farm Bureau, the cost of a 4th of July BBQ is down from last year. It’s a fact you must-hear(d). Hot dog, the Biden economic plan is working. And that’s something we can all relish. pic.twitter.com/7h9qLauIbC
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 1, 2021
Several figures criticized the White House’s tweet, including Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York. She responded to the tweet by sharing that the price of gasoline is at a seven-year high.
“The average price for a gallon of gas is $3.15,” she tweeted. “This is the HIGHEST price for a gallon of gas since 2014 and a 42% INCREASE from last year.”
Food-at-home prices ticked upward by 1.4% in 2021, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.
The fresh fruits category “has had the largest relative price increase (4.8 percent) and the fresh vegetables category the smallest, 0.3%. No 2021 price categories decreased compared to 2020 prices,” the report said.
Apparently, no one at the Biden @WhiteHouse has been to the gas station recently.
The average price for a gallon of gas is $3.15.
This is the HIGHEST price for a gallon of gas since 2014 and a 42% INCREASE from last year.
— Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) July 1, 2021
$.16 savings… over your whole 4th of July BBQ. Yup 16 cents… YUGE savings!!!! as long as you didn’t have to drive to pick it up in which case after about a few yards of driving you’re in the hole. Great job Joe. Thanks for highlighting. https://t.co/qGXkjUxRom
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 2, 2021
First of all not true. Second, what genius thought, “Hey let’s put out a tweet showing people how they are saving $.16 cents over last year.” Are you serious?? Sixteen pennies, you dirty little peasants and be grateful!! https://t.co/5RnLH5P7dz
— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) July 2, 2021
The White House account does not get ratio’d very often but the “we saved you .16 cents on potato chips from last year” has done it.
Congrats @JoeBiden @WHCOS pic.twitter.com/h5SSU3vGbq
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) July 2, 2021
Comparing prices to last year when there was a massive global pandemic wreaking havoc with supply chains… and then noting just 16 cents in savings this year, seems like advertisting a big L? https://t.co/3r7G29t4fH
— Mark Hemingway (@Heminator) July 1, 2021
How do you plan on spending your 16 cents holiday stimulus money?
— Dr.Darrell Scott (@PastorDScott) July 2, 2021
From the same study the White House cites here:
“The cost for the cookout is down just 16 cents (less than 1%) from last year, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝟴% 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟵.”
“Consumers looking a bit farther back to compare prices are seeing 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀” https://t.co/vaqQBbmlHV
— Andrew Clark (@AndrewHClark) July 1, 2021
Spent $2T for the American Rescue Plan and all we got was 16 cents off potato chips. https://t.co/3YmPVuuXRr
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) July 1, 2021
Americans: “We want cheaper fuel, cheaper lumber, less taxes!”@JoeBiden: pic.twitter.com/ELcKzk3HoP
— Mitch Freckleton (@mfreckleton_) July 2, 2021
