Egg Prices Risk Donald Trump’s Downfall: Mike Pence Group

The Political Scramble Over Rising Egg Prices: A Challenge for Trump and the GOP

Introduction: A Cracking Issue for the Administration

The recent surge in egg prices has hatched a new challenge for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. John Shelton, policy director for Advancing American Freedom, a group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence, has sounded the alarm that the GOP risks voter backlash if egg prices and the U.S. economy are not brought under control. In a recent opinion piece titled "EGG Before ESG" for National Review, Shelton argued that the GOP must prioritize everyday issues like affordable food over more abstract policies such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. The White House was contacted for comment on this matter but has not yet responded.

The issue of rising egg prices has become a symbol of broader economic challenges. With the 2024 campaign season heating up, Trump has vowed to tackle inflation and bring down the cost of food, issues that have also haunted his predecessor, Joe Biden. However, the current surge in egg prices, driven by a combination of factors including a severe bird flu outbreak and supply chain disruptions, has put pressure on the Trump administration to deliver on these promises. Many Americans are feeling the pinch, and the GOP is being warned that failure to address this issue could have political consequences.

Why Egg Prices Matter: A Measure of Economic Health

Egg prices have become a flashpoint in the national conversation about the economy. The average wholesale price of eggs reached a record high of over $8 per dozen in early March, though it has since decreased to around $6. This surge has been attributed to a perfect storm of factors, including a devastating bird flu epidemic that led to the culling of millions of chickens, reducing supply just as demand was increasing. For many families, the rising cost of eggs is a tangible example of broader inflationary pressures that are making life more expensive.

In his March 4 address to Congress, Trump highlighted the issue, accusing the Biden administration of letting egg prices "get out of control" and pledging that his administration is working to "get it back down." The Department of Justice is also reportedly investigating whether egg producers have engaged in price collusion to keep prices high, adding another layer of scrutiny to the issue. For many Americans, the price of eggs is not just about breakfast; it’s a bellwether for the administration’s ability to manage the economy and improve their quality of life.

The Current Situation: A Perfect Storm of Factors

The rise in egg prices is the result of a combination of factors, including the bird flu outbreak, supply chain disruptions, and increased demand. The bird flu epidemic has been particularly devastating, with millions of chickens culled to prevent the spread of the disease. This has led to a sharp reduction in the number of egg-laying hens, creating a supply shortage just as demand for eggs was increasing. The situation has been further complicated by rising feed costs for poultry farmers and disruptions in global trade.

The impact on consumers has been significant. Many families have seen the cost of eggs become a bigger portion of their grocery budget, and some have even reported difficulty finding eggs on store shelves. The issue has also had political implications, with both Republicans and Democrats seeking to assign blame and propose solutions. For Trump, who campaigned on a promise to bring down inflation and improve the economy, the issue is a test of his ability to deliver on those promises.

Political Implications: A Rallying Cry for the Midterms

The issue of rising egg prices has become a rallying cry for both Republicans and Democrats as the 2024 election approaches. Trump has made the economy and inflation central themes of his campaign, and the surge in egg prices has given him a tangible issue to criticize the Biden administration. At the same time, Democrats have sought to use the issue to highlight the need for stronger oversight of corporate practices and to argue that the Trump administration has failed to take decisive action to address the problem.

For the GOP, the issue is particularly sensitive. Shelton has warned that the party risks alienating working-class voters if it does not prioritize issues like the cost of eggs over more abstract policy debates. He has argued that while voters may tolerate a lot from their government, they will not hesitate to express their frustration when they struggle to put food on the table. This is a lesson that the GOP ignores at its peril, especially as it heads into the 2026 midterm elections. With the party holding a razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives, failure to address issues like the cost of eggs could have serious political consequences.

What People Are Saying: Voices from All Sides

The debate over egg prices has sparked a lively conversation among policymakers, industry leaders, and ordinary Americans. Shelton has been a leading voice in this conversation, arguing that the GOP needs to focus on issues that matter to working-class families, like the cost of eggs. In his National Review piece, he wrote, "It’s true that voters consistently rank the economy as their No. 1 issue. But underneath all the aggregated data, voters care about issues besides their retirement portfolio’s performance. The average voter can put up with a lot, but when he starts struggling to put food on the table, all of these other grievances spill out into the open."

Shelton also warned that the GOP could make a similar mistake by prioritizing ESG initiatives over issues like the cost of eggs. He argued that while the Biden administration’s focus on "transgenderism before transactions" alienated working-class voters, it could have still won the White House if not for the surge in egg prices. The same could happen to the GOP if it fails to address the needs of its base. "There’s still time to correct course and deliver on things that matter for American families, like the affordability of eggs and other household goods," Shelton wrote. "Unprincipled tariff fights won’t make any of that cheaper—just the opposite. If the Trump administration continues down this path, get ready for more woke finance, abortion on demand, and trans insanity in the 120th Congress. As the economy goes, so goes the election."

Not everyone agrees with Shelton’s assessment. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has argued that Trump is taking steps to address the issue and that the administration is "relentlessly turning over every rock to unleash policies that will put downward pressure on prices." He also noted that real wages rose significantly during Trump’s first term, compared to the Biden administration, and expressed confidence that the administration can reverse the current trend. "Reversing four years of economic malpractice will take time, but the building blocks of America’s next great low-inflation, high-wage growth boom have already been laid—and soon enough, so too will the eggs," Kirk wrote.

Industry leaders have also weighed in on the issue. Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board, told Newsweek that the surge in egg prices is primarily due to tight supply and high demand. "Although each retailer decides how much they’re going to sell eggs for in the store, higher wholesale prices usually impact retail prices," she explained. Metz also noted that intermittent shortages at some retail locations have contributed to the perception of a crisis, though she emphasized that the industry is working to restore supply and stabilize prices.

What Happens Next: The Road Ahead

As the 2024 election approaches, the issue of egg prices is likely to remain a hot topic in the political arena. The Trump administration has acknowledged that bringing down the cost of everyday goods will take longer than initially promised, but the pressure to deliver results is mounting. With the economy expected to be a key issue in the election, the administration’s success in addressing the surge in egg prices could have a significant impact on voter sentiment.

Looking ahead, the situation appears challenging. A February report from the Department of Agriculture predicted a 41.1% increase in egg prices for 2025, suggesting that the issue is far from resolved. If the administration fails to take decisive action, the political fallout could be severe. For the GOP, the stakes are high. As Shelton noted, the party needs to focus on issues that matter to working-class families, like the cost of eggs, if it hopes to retain control of Congress and maintain its political viability.

In conclusion, the surge in egg prices has become a symbol of the broader economic challenges facing the nation. For President Trump and the GOP, the issue is a test of their ability to deliver on their promises and address the concerns of working-class voters. As the 2024 election approaches, the administration’s success in bringing down the cost of eggs could play a significant role in determining the political landscape. Whether the GOP can rise to the challenge remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the American people are watching, and they expect results.