Trump Makes New Housing Crisis Announcement

Democratic lawmakers sharply criticized President Trump on Thursday after remarks in which he said he wants home values to rise, comments that quickly sparked backlash from officials who argue affordability remains out of reach for millions of Americans.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump said his administration would prioritize protecting the wealth of current homeowners, even if that means higher housing prices.

“We’re not going to destroy the value of people’s homes just so someone else can buy one,” the president said. “I don’t want housing prices to go down. I want them to go up for people who already own homes, and that’s exactly what’s going to happen.”

The comments drew immediate reaction from Democrats across Capitol Hill.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) criticized the remarks on social media, framing them as a blow to first-time buyers. “If you’re trying to buy your first home, Trump wants it to cost more,” she wrote. “But he’ll keep insisting affordability is a myth.”

Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) also pushed back, arguing that rising costs are already squeezing families. He said millions of Americans are struggling to enter the housing market, while policies such as tariffs are adding to overall expenses.

Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) echoed those concerns, saying families are already having difficulty paying for housing. “At a time when so many people are struggling just to afford a place to live, the president’s answer is higher prices,” she wrote. “That shows a complete disregard for affordability.”

Housing costs have climbed rapidly in recent years, rising faster than overall inflation. According to Redfin data, the median home sale price reached $429,000 in December, more than 28 percent higher than it was in December 2020.

Trump has pointed to other actions as part of his housing agenda. Earlier this week, he signed an executive order aimed at limiting large Wall Street investors from purchasing single-family homes, arguing that institutional buyers are crowding out everyday families.

“Young, hardworking families can’t compete with massive investment firms for starter homes,” Trump said in the order.

Even so, the president’s comments on Thursday unsettled lawmakers as housing affordability is expected to remain a central issue heading into this year’s midterm elections.

Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) summed up the frustration from many Democrats, posting that Trump’s approach to housing affordability would fall flat with voters in fast-growing regions like Central Florida, where rising prices have become a major concern.