I hope you’re getting to spend quality time with people you love this week and are finding moments of gratitude.

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year. But today, I’m thinking about how so many families are worried about how they’re going to afford to create that holiday magic this year.

From traditional meals to holiday travel or Black Friday deals, no corner of our economy has been untouched by Trump and the Republicans’ failed economic policies.

Let’s start with that Thanksgiving meal. If you felt sticker shock at the grocery store this year, you’re not imagining things: Thanksgiving dinner will cost consumers 9.8% more than it did last year. That’s the fastest rate of inflation in more than two years.

You might be one of the millions of shoppers who try to score some discounts on Black Friday. More and more Americans are reporting they’re tightening their belts ahead of the biggest shopping day of the year because they’re concerned about high costs and greater economic uncertainty.

And it’s no wonder: Trump’s chaotic tariffs have raised prices by nearly 5%, hitting everyday items like clothing and furniture particularly hard. Brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Nike, and Walmart also report that Trump’s tariffs are pushing them to raise their prices.

Record numbers of Americans are working multiple jobs in order to make ends meet this holiday season — the highest percentage in 15 years. At the same time, the Trump Administration’s recently released jobs report showed that hiring is slowing down, with unemployment ticking up to the highest level since 2021.

Even workers who are employed are getting squeezed by giant companies. Walgreens, which was just bought out by private equity outfit Sycamore Partners, just yanked paid vacation time from its employees ahead of Thanksgiving and Christmas as part of aggressive cost-cutting measures.

And for those planning to travel for the holidays this year, flyers could be left hung out to dry thanks to Donald Trump. His administration just rolled back requirements for airlines to reimburse customers if flight delays or cancellations are caused by the carriers.

Trump ran on lowering costs on Day One of his administration. But it’s been over three hundred days and here’s the reality: Inflation is increasing. Trump’s chaotic tariffs are costing Americans an arm and a leg. And workers are less and less protected from predatory outfits like private equity that have been allowed to run rampant through our economy.

This is what happens when you have a government that works for the wealthy and the well-connected and corporations. But it doesn't have to stay this way. Just as we built a government that favors the wealthy, we can rebuild a new one that works for the majority of Americans — if we fight for it.

I’m fighting for a government that lends a hand to families trying to put food on the table — not to giant financial institutions looking for their next bailout.

I’m fighting for an economy that gives every American the opportunity to thrive — not an economy that mints the world’s first trillionaire.

I’m fighting for a government and an economy that works for everyone. That means ending the runaway corruption and profiteering from giant corporations. It means passing policies that will actually help American families get by, like affordable housing, child care, paid family leave, and universal health care.

It’s going to take a lot of work to untangle this system, with political leaders fighting for bold solutions and a strong grassroots movement calling for a better way forward. But we can — and will — do this.

That’s why it’s so important for you to stay in this fight. And a big part of that is resting and recharging for the fights ahead. So please, from the bottom of my heart, I hope you have a joyous, restful, and happy holiday this week. And please know, if times are feeling tough right now, I’m fighting for you.

Thanks for being a part of this,

Elizabeth