Burrito price sparks 'civil war' in Trump's Republican party

A debate over the price of burritos has ignited a "civil war" within the Republican party, as concerns about the rising cost of living threaten to alienate voters ahead of the November midterm elections.

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A student from TPUSA gave their take on affordability. Burritos should not cost $20.

The controversy began when Andrew Kolvet, spokesperson for the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, posted on X that a burrito should not cost $20. He acknowledged that pandemic effects and Biden-era inflation contributed to the price increase, but emphasized that the perceived unaffordability of basic goods remains a significant issue for Americans.

This statement triggered a sharp division among conservatives. Some criticized the younger generation for having expensive tastes, while others defended them and warned of the political ramifications. Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas advised critics to "get a job" and eat ramen noodles like he did in college, suggesting the market dictates prices regardless of opinion.

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Stop complaining, get a job and eat ramen noodles like the rest of us when we were in college, on a tight budget and living with four roommates. The market doesn't care what you think something 'should' cost.

However, former George W. Bush advisor Marc Thiessen also weighed in, criticizing students for being lazy and willing to pay higher prices through delivery services. He recalled living on ramen noodles during his college days without complaining about the cost of living. This sentiment was met with strong criticism from JD Vance, who suggested Thiessen had never missed a meal, referencing his physical appearance.

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When I graduated, I lived on ramen noodles. I didn't complain about the cost of living. I worked hard so that one day I could afford a better life.

Other conservative figures warned that dismissing consumer concerns about prices is a political misstep. Angela Morabit, spokesperson for the right-leaning Institute for Freedom, argued that if the right's solution to the affordability crisis is to tell people to eat cheaper, worse food, "we will lose (in November), and we will deserve to lose."

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If the right's 'solution' to the affordability crisis is to tell people to eat cheaper, worse food, we will lose (in November), and we will deserve to lose.