Pennsylvania city shows Trump’s economy confronts local realities.
Idalia Bisbal, 67, retired from New York City and moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania, hoping for lower living costs. She now cites rising prices for food, rent, utilities and gas.
Vice President JD Vance addressed Republican voters in Allentown after a rally in a nearby suburb. He blamed the Biden administration for an affordability crisis and later served food to the homeless.
President Trump recently described affordability as a hoax, giving the economy an “A+++++” grade. Local business leaders contested this assessment.
Officials agreed prices are high; Chamber president Tony Iannelli called Trump’s grading overstated. Health consultant Tom Groves awarded a “B+” and GOP chair Joe Vichot called it a colloquialism.
Allentown remains a national political theater; it sits in Lehigh County, a key battleground. Republican Representative Ryan Mackenzie, elected after a Trump‑leaning swing, faces a tough reelection.
Mackenzie joined House Republicans in challenging leadership over health‑care subsidies, a move lauded by GOP leader Joe Vichot. Democrats nearly gained the House majority and nominated Bob Brooks for a May primary.
The area highlighted Vance’s speech at a Uline factory and a 200‑employee layoff at Mack Trucks, partially tied to Trump tariffs. Mayor Matt Tuerk noted rapid demographic changes ahead of the next election.