Donald Trump’s presidential campaign last year featured numerous appearances at economic clubs across the country.

However, these events were notable for their lack of detailed policy discussions, with Trump opting for his characteristic off-the-cuff remarks rather than the more formal speeches traditionally expected in such settings.

While his campaign team prepared talking points on economic challenges, Trump often veered off course during Q&A sessions, leading to moments where he appeared unprepared to address critical topics.

One particularly notable instance occurred at the Economic Club of New York.

When asked about his plans to address the child care crisis, Trump provided a meandering response, saying, “child care is child care,” before suggesting that imposing tariffs on imported goods might somehow resolve the issue.

While taking questions from the Economic Club of New York, former President Trump stumbled through an answer about his potential plans to address the costs of child care.@VaughnHillyard has details on what Trump had to say and his pivot to promoting tariffs in his answer. pic.twitter.com/fnuHJCzsg3

— MSNBC Reports (@MSNBC_reports) September 6, 2024

The vague answer sparked criticism and became a widely discussed moment of the campaign.

As the election race tightened following Joe Biden’s withdrawal, Trump’s campaign made efforts to appeal to working-class voters with a populist tone.

His staff organized events aimed at addressing inflation, such as one held at his New Jersey golf resort where food props were prominently displayed.

However, Trump’s remarks often strayed from the topic at hand. Another event featured a visit to a grocery store, which some observers noted seemed like an unfamiliar setting for him.

Trump has reportedly attributed his election victory, in part, to using the term “groceries” during his campaign, viewing it as a groundbreaking rhetorical strategy.

Yet, his economic messaging often lacked specific plans.

For most economic challenges, his proposed solutions boiled down to imposing tariffs, expanding domestic drilling, and promising economic growth.

These catchphrases appeared to resonate with voters amid concerns about post-pandemic inflation in 2022-2023.

Behind the scenes, Trump’s relationship with influential figures in business and technology was evident.

During his inauguration, prominent billionaires like Elon Musk, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Apple’s Tim Cook were seated in the front row, ahead of senators and cabinet members.

This dynamic underscored the sway of corporate leaders in Trump’s administration. Critics argue that Trump’s policies largely serve the interests of the wealthy, with deregulation and tax cuts benefiting the billionaire class.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon has been vocal in criticizing this alignment with tech oligarchs, particularly Elon Musk, whom he has labeled “evil.”

Despite Bannon’s objections, Musk and other business leaders maintain significant influence in Trump’s administration.

Since taking office, Trump has issued numerous executive orders and policy changes that have sparked debate.

Among them was the rescission of a Biden-era policy aimed at reducing prescription drug costs and strengthening Medicaid protections.

Trump described these initiatives as “radical” and “deeply unpopular,” though polls indicate otherwise.

Whether his administration will roll back programs like the $35 monthly insulin cap or Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug prices remains unclear.

During a speech at the World Economic Forum on Thursday, Trump reiterated his tariff threats, stating, “we have a deficit” with Canada and suggesting that the country could become the 51st state to avoid tariffs.

He also called for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, claiming, “I know interest rates much better than they do.”

Economists warn that implementing such tariffs could lead to higher gas and grocery prices, exacerbating inflation rather than alleviating it.

The U.S. poultry industry is currently grappling with the H1N1 bird flu, which has led to rising egg prices.

While this crisis is not directly linked to Trump, his freeze on NIH programs and restrictions on public health communications could hinder efforts to address the issue.

Public health experts warn that such measures may lead to higher costs and adverse health outcomes.

Despite these challenges, Trump signed an executive order directing government agencies to develop plans to lower costs across various sectors, with reports due in a month. However, many remain skeptical about the potential impact of these measures.

Since the election, Trump has focused much of his attention on cultivating relationships with billionaires while his administration pursues policies that critics say prioritize corporate interests over those of everyday Americans.

As inflation and economic concerns persist, public scrutiny of Trump’s approach to governance is likely to grow.