Affordability
Everything costs too much, and Gordon believes the country can act now to bring much of it under control.
What is driving prices?
Sometimes high prices come from market factors or seasonal shortages. Right now, though, much of the rise traces to specific government policies, and many of them can be addressed immediately.
Tariffs
The Trump tariff plan has failed spectacularly, as nearly every economist predicted. The tariffs function as a 200 billion dollar consumer tax on almost everything, with disastrous results:
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New car prices up 10 percent in one year. (Source: Kelley Blue Book, https://www.kbb.com/car-news/tariff-costs-new-car-prices-up-10-since-last-year/)
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Average new home price up 10,900 dollars. (Source: National Association of Home Builders, https://www.nahb.org/advocacy/top-priorities/building-materials-trade-policy/how-tariffs-impact-home-building)
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All retail imports up over 7 percent in one year. (Source: Tax Foundation, https://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-tariffs-raise-prices-consumers/)
Farmers and farm communities have suffered tremendous losses from retaliatory tariffs and boycotts, even after a 12 billion dollar taxpayer-funded bailout. The country has lost China as a market for soybeans. Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council Executive Director Stefan Maupin has said farmers are in a significant and desperate situation, with none of the crops they grow right now returning a profit, and many not even breaking even.
These tariffs have driven up consumer costs and damaged relationships with nearly every country in the world. Gordon would repeal them immediately and begin repairing the damage with trading partners.
Fuel prices
Gas prices have skyrocketed and seem to climb higher every day. As of this writing, the average price of gasoline has jumped about 1.38 dollars per gallon over the past year, and analysts expect further increases. (Source: CNBC, https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/11/gasoline-prices-to-go-higher-after-trumps-iran-proposal-rejection.html) Diesel has gone up over 2 dollars per gallon in the last year.
First, this is a direct cost Americans pay at the pump every day, often forcing a choice between gas and groceries. Second, higher diesel raises the price of everything that moves by truck or train, which is very nearly everything. Finally, food costs are hit especially hard, because rising oil prices increase delivery costs, raise operating expenses for farm equipment, and drive up the cost of fertilizer.
Gordon would first end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Allowing Iran to disrupt the world oil supply has had a predictable effect on global inflation, and ending it would bring an immediate drop in oil prices and relief at the pump. Second, he would resume efforts to reduce dependence on oil by making renewable energy more efficient and available, while encouraging innovation in green energy, hybrid vehicles, and battery storage.