President Donald Trump recently highlighted that Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal basket has become cheaper this year compared to last year. However, he did not address the significant changes in the composition of the basket, which includes fewer items than the previous year.
Changes in Walmart’s Thanksgiving Meal Basket
This year’s basket includes a total of 15 products, a reduction from the 21 products offered in the 2024 version. When counting individual items, it features 22 items, compared to 29 items last year.
Item Comparisons
- Last year’s basket contained a pre-made pecan pie.
- This year’s basket lacks the pecan pie and sweet potatoes.
- It includes only one can of cream of mushroom soup, down from two cans last year.
- This year’s basket adds fresh cranberries instead of cranberry sauce.
- Additional items this year: pre-made stuffing mix, fresh carrots, and more macaroni and cheese.
Notably, the basket includes a 13.5-pound Butterball turkey, while last year did not specify a brand for the turkey included in the basket.
Pricing Structure
Walmart has announced a 25% decrease in the price of its Thanksgiving meal basket, bringing it under $40, down from approximately $55 last year. Despite this promotional price cut, it should be understood that changes in product offerings make direct comparisons challenging.
Consumer Price Index Insights
Despite Trump’s assertion that grocery prices have decreased, recent Consumer Price Index data indicates otherwise. As of September, average grocery prices were approximately 2.7% higher than the previous year and 1.4% higher than at the beginning of 2023.
| Grocery Price Changes | September 2023 |
|---|---|
| Year-over-Year Increase | 2.7% |
| Since January 2023 | 1.4% |
| Month-to-Month Increase (August to September) | 0.3% |
While Walmart’s promotional Thanksgiving meal may be more affordable, the reality is that overall grocery prices have risen during Trump’s second term. His claims regarding declining food prices stand in contradiction to established data.
