Trump says Thanksgiving dinner is cheaper this year and he’s right, to a point. How he's using a seasonal Walmart deal to settle an economic score

Trump has been dining out on the news, bringing it up on social media, in a speech to the American Business Forum and at the White House (2).

“Under the Biden administration, a Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings cost 25% more,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “In other words, our Thanksgiving this year will cost 25% less than Sleepy Joe Biden’s. To me, that’s better than anything there is.”

With 68% of Americans expecting Thanksgiving to be more expensive due to inflation and tariffs, and one in four planning to skip it according to an Empower, it’s clear many households are feeling the pinch. (3).

So at $40, a Walmart Thanksgiving package designed to feed 10 people may sound enticing.

Here’s a closer look at whether it really is a deal, what’s happening with grocery prices more broadly — and how to keep your own holiday affordable.

The real cost of turkey and the trimmings this year

Critics say the 2025 Walmart Thanksgiving basket isn’t quite as great a deal as Walmart and Trump imply (4). They note it contains 15 products this year — six fewer than in 2024. Some of the missing items include onions, celery, muffin mix, and marshmallows (5).

Trump also suggested that Thanksgiving in the U.S. would cost 25% less this year thanks to the Walmart basket. Not quite. Let’s say you don’t shop at Walmart.

The good news is that economists at Wells Fargo found that a basket of Thanksgiving groceries will cost less than last year. But 2% to 3% less — not 25% less (6).

However, given the cost of food at home is up 2.7% overall from a year ago, it’s a pleasant surprise for many households (7).

How to stretch your holiday food budget

You can stretch your dollars around the holidays and still enjoy a great feast. Some Americans are planning to get creative on their meal choices this year to lower their costs.

For example, according to Empower, 38% plan to roast chicken instead of a turkey. Another 30% are considering opting for burgers, pizza, or fast food over a traditional meal.

You could potentially save a lot of money — and avoid food waste — by simply scaling back on how much food you prepare. Consider the size of your gathering and make an appropriate amount of food. You can also share costs by hosting a potluck.

Even with all of the savings options, sometimes Thanksgiving doesn’t fit into the budget.