During a press briefing on Friday, President Trump sharply criticized an NBC News reporter for highlighting inconsistencies in Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal package. Trump has frequently referenced this package as evidence of reduced prices under his administration.

The latest offering from Walmart, as detailed on their website, claims to serve 10 individuals at a cost of less than $4 per person. Comparatively, last year’s package catered to eight people for under $7 each. However, the 2023 meal includes fewer items, and several of those items are Walmart’s own brand rather than well-known name brands, a fact highlighted by the reporter.

The journalist’s observation prompted Trump to dismiss the statement, branding NBC as “fake news.” The exchange began when the reporter inquired, “Mr. President, since you brought up the Walmart Thanksgiving meal, and it is cheaper but it also contains less.”

Trump interjected, “I haven’t heard that,” before questioning the reporter’s affiliation with, “Who are you with?” The president’s swift rebuttal underscored his ongoing tension with certain media outlets while defending his economic claims.

“I haven’t heard that,” Trump interrupted. “Who are you with?” 

“You’re fake news,” the president said when the reporter identified themselves with the network. 

“NBC’s gone down the tubes with most of the rest of them.”

The reporter went on to ask Trump why there is a disconnect between the economy he is describing and the concern that Americans feel about rising costs.

“Well, they feel better about our country right now, other than the shutdown obviously, which is caused by the Democrats. Could be ended by the Democrats in two minutes,” he said. 

Trump has been using the Walmart Thanksgiving meal example as a way to amplify his administration’s efforts to bring down prices. But annual inflation rose to 3 percent in September, the same rate as when he took office in January, meaning prices are rising at the same rates as they were during the end of the  Biden administration.