The cost of living across America has no doubt risen worryingly in the past few months, and electricity is one of the most affected expenses for many people. One woman from West Virginia was even left scratching her head at what to do after he electricity bill went up to around $940 for February. The woman has since blamed President Trump, after she voted for him in hopes of alleviating her concerns about her bill.
Rebecca Michalski is the woman in question, a disabled resident living on a fixed income, who said opening her monthly power bill has become a source of anxiety. Her February charge totaled $940.08, more than her entire monthly income, despite strict efforts to conserve energy. “Every time you see that power bill, you’re just sick,” Michalski said. “I already know before I open it. I just dread seeing how much.” Michalski is not alone in her plight, as plenty of others in West Virginia are undergoing a similar ordeal.
Michalski’s case, however, appears to be among the worst, since she has no way of paying her electric bill with the income she has right now. Michalski, who once supported Trump, now says she feels let down by the administration’s unfulfilled promises to reduce energy costs. During his campaign, Trump pledged to cut electricity bills in half within his first year to 18 months in office.
Hence, the West Virginia woman couldn’t stand by her political decision anymore, “It’s breaking me,” she said. “And there’s nothing that can be done for it, unless the president does something. And I don’t see him doing it. He’s had plenty of time,” transcript courtesy of Associated Press.
Who’s to Blame?
Michalski’s woes have become viral online, and many who criticized President Trump even before 2024 didn’t exactly sympathize with the West Virginia woman. Some commenters mocked Michalski and other West Virginians’ decision to vote for Trump, only to reap what they sowed, so to speak. “But they voted for this, so what am I missing?” questions one Instagram user.
Others even pointed out that West Virginia is basically a red state, “WV went for Trump with just under 70% of their votes. They voted for this. Have the day you voted for!” Meanwhile, certain people on Reddit have also argued that certain politicians had solutions and plans for energy costs, only they didn’t get the chance to implement them since Americans voted for the opposition. “How do you even begin with this? AOC had a plan that would have brought her energy costs down, and I’d bet money she called her a communist,” ranted the commenter.
