A woman from Nebraska went to TikTok to share a recent shopping trip she had at Costco. Normally, she could get a pretty good deal, but she spent very little this time around. What resulted was a realization of grocery prices being absurdly higher.
Posted by TikTok user nakandak10 (Nakanda), her video is of her sharing all the produce and food she got at Costco while simultaneously mocking MAGA voters. She states that a normal trip — noting that it was while Biden was President — she could get “20 to 23 items” for around “$60 to $65.” But now that she has to endure Trump’s economy plans, “it’s such a treat.”
Nakanda is allegedly spending just shy of $60 this time around, which amounted to bagels, fruit, vegetables, and some delicious five-cheese tortellini (and pesto). In total, it was eight items (that’s counting both bags of bagels, too), and most of it was super healthy.
The price differences before and during Trump’s presidency weren’t minor. Nakanda argued that while her $8 bagels were expensive, they were still one of the few acceptable deals, noting she often froze one for later. The tortellini, for example, she claims went from $8 to $12. “$7 for three cucumbers,” she says, clearly unamused.
Nakanda doesn’t stop at grocery prices, though. She also describes the horror of just filling her vehicle to half a tank. She says it used to cost “$23” for a full tank, but now the same amount fills just half. “America first, right?” Nakanda says, and puts the blame on Trump and Republicans.
How People Are Reacting Online to Nakanda’s TikTok Video
One of the top comments mocked MAGA voters by writing, “Mind you, they voted for cheaper grocery prices and cheaper gas,” followed by numerous questions marks. Others joined in, pointing to bigotry guiding MAGA voters’ actions. “That was just the excuse they used to hide their racism.”
Some viewers turned to the problem of stagnant wages, “Raising prices but not raising our paycheck.” Nakanda gave it a Like. Low-wage workers, for example, have it rough with “little wage growth,” according to the EPI (Economic Policy Institute).
Other TikTok users spoke of the high gas prices due to the U.S-Israel war on Iran, “$58 to fill up my TOYOTA CAMRY!!!!!” Someone in the same comment thread shared their Honda Civic was “$65” for a full tank, up from “$35.”
Some fought over the validity of Costco usually being “cheaper than grocery stores” and the suffering of budgeting with “20 bucks” after paying rent.
It’s very clear why Nakanda’s video blew up on social media — nearly 50K Likes and over a thousand comments — because many of her viewers are likely feeling the same struggle in America.
