US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sparked widespread ridicule after claiming that Americans can save money by eating a simple meal consisting of "a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli", a corn tortilla, and another unknown item. The remark was met with scathing criticism from congressional Democrats and others who accused the administration of being out of touch with the struggles faced by working families.
Rollins made the comments during an interview on NewsNation, in response to questions about how average Americans would afford adapting their meals to the White House's updated food pyramid, which prioritizes red meat, full-fat dairy, and saturated fats over ultra-processed foods and sugar. The rising cost of groceries has been a major concern for many Americans in recent years.
Rollins suggested that Americans could save around $3 per meal by eating this minimalist diet, which raised eyebrows among lawmakers who pointed out that the actual cost of groceries continues to rise. In fact, data from the consumer price index showed that food prices increased by 0.7% in December, with prices for produce, coffee, and beef also rising.
Critics seized on Rollins's remarks as evidence of the administration's disconnect from the average American, with some drawing comparisons to Marie Antoinette's infamous phrase "Let them eat cake." Representative Ted Lieu quipped that Trump's Secretary of Agriculture was suggesting Americans could afford a $3 meal consisting of a piece of chicken, broccoli, and a tortilla, along with a mystery item.
The Colorado congressman Jason Crow took a similar approach, joking that the administration's suggestion was like getting a gold-plated new ballroom while ordinary Americans were stuck with a meager meal. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse also called out Rollins's comments, suggesting that the "one other thing" in the diet might be wondering why costs have risen so much under Trump.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal referred to Rollins's remarks as a "slap in the face to struggling working families," while former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg's husband Chasten added that the administration was more concerned with indulging their own interests than helping ordinary Americans make ends meet. Novelist Anne Lamott also poked fun at the absurdity of Rollins's description, joking about substitutions and asking for a smaller serving size.
As the criticism continues to mount, it remains to be seen how the administration will respond to these charges of being out of touch with the average American.
Rollins made the comments during an interview on NewsNation, in response to questions about how average Americans would afford adapting their meals to the White House's updated food pyramid, which prioritizes red meat, full-fat dairy, and saturated fats over ultra-processed foods and sugar. The rising cost of groceries has been a major concern for many Americans in recent years.
Rollins suggested that Americans could save around $3 per meal by eating this minimalist diet, which raised eyebrows among lawmakers who pointed out that the actual cost of groceries continues to rise. In fact, data from the consumer price index showed that food prices increased by 0.7% in December, with prices for produce, coffee, and beef also rising.
Critics seized on Rollins's remarks as evidence of the administration's disconnect from the average American, with some drawing comparisons to Marie Antoinette's infamous phrase "Let them eat cake." Representative Ted Lieu quipped that Trump's Secretary of Agriculture was suggesting Americans could afford a $3 meal consisting of a piece of chicken, broccoli, and a tortilla, along with a mystery item.
The Colorado congressman Jason Crow took a similar approach, joking that the administration's suggestion was like getting a gold-plated new ballroom while ordinary Americans were stuck with a meager meal. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse also called out Rollins's comments, suggesting that the "one other thing" in the diet might be wondering why costs have risen so much under Trump.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal referred to Rollins's remarks as a "slap in the face to struggling working families," while former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg's husband Chasten added that the administration was more concerned with indulging their own interests than helping ordinary Americans make ends meet. Novelist Anne Lamott also poked fun at the absurdity of Rollins's description, joking about substitutions and asking for a smaller serving size.
As the criticism continues to mount, it remains to be seen how the administration will respond to these charges of being out of touch with the average American.
i mean like, Rollins is just ignoring the fact that groceries are getting cheaper and cheaper (not more expensive) over time 
but seriously, what's up with this "mystery item" tho? 
can't even be bothered to name it 
The government is trying to save Americans money by eating super cheap meals 
, but they're not thinking about what's actually happening in the real world. The prices are still rising and most people can't afford that kind of meal, let alone a "mystery item" 
. It feels like they're more concerned with being on top of things than actually listening to the struggles of everyday people. I mean, who comes up with this stuff? 
. And broccoli's not cheap either. It's like they think everyone's living off ramen noodles or something 
.
Meanwhile, food prices are still sky-high and people are struggling to make ends meet. I feel like this is just another example of the administration not getting it. 
this lady is seriously clueless bro 
, shouldn't that include like actual prices of groceries on a $3 meal?! 
to show this: 
In Dec, it went up 0.7%! If we're supposed to save $$$ by eating just these three things, how's that possible?! The admin needs to get real with food prices and help us working fams make ends meet 
People are really fired up about this! Interesting 
I feel like Rollins was coming from a good place but didn't think things through...like, what's the "other" thing that's gonna save us $3? 
. The prices for groceries are still rising, so it's not like people can afford to cut costs that much either 
. It seems like the administration doesn't understand how much everyday expenses add up, you feel? 
... come on, have u seen the cost of groceries lately? it's insane! 
Not exactly the most practical solution for everyday Americans trying to make ends meet 
. Newsflash: it doesn't work that way 
.