(NEXSTAR) — Now that TikTok is back (for now), many users are discussing the incoming administration of Pres. Trump and the various changes that have already begun. And while many Americans are focused on the flurry of executive orders Trump signed into law on his first official day, others are hoping to keep the administration accountable for what it promised.
This week, TikToker Magda, who goes by @magdacious on TikTok, posted a viral video announcing a new series she plans on creating: tracking the prices of eggs as the new Trump administration begins.
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The cost of groceries (including eggs) is a common refrain given by people who supported Trump in the 2024 Presidential Election, in addition to an issue Trump himself addressed throughout his campaign, with claims that his administration would lower prices. The issue of grocery prices was so central to post-mortem election coverage that MSNBC even referred to 2024 as “the Grocery Election.”
And Magda, who acknowledges that the U.S. president doesn’t directly control grocery prices, says she intends to keep track of whether or not Trump can deliver on what he’s promised.
“One of the big Trump campaign promises, and a big reason why many Americans voted for him, was that he would reduce the prices of groceries,” said Magda. “I didn’t expect to gain an audience from this video but since it resonated, my hope is that Americans start holding politicians at all levels — and of all parties — accountable for campaigning on empty promises. I plan on remaining optimistic regardless. I’d love to see the price of goods go down. I’m just keeping score.”
Magda’s first video racked up nearly 403,000 likes, nearly 10,000 comments and over 23,000 bookmarks.
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In the video, she explains that she intends to track the prices of eggs across various brands, from the organic, free range-types to the cheapest, unlabeled generic eggs most grocery stores sell. How does she plan to keep track of all of it?
“It’s a work in progress and the science isn’t perfect,” she said. “I have limited bandwidth to go to multiple grocery stores seven days a week, so I plan on doing my usual grocery runs 1-2x a week and noting the prices of 1 dozen eggs (store brand, mid tier, premium tier) and other goods like milk, bread, bacon, toilet paper.”
Additionally, she says she’ll also peruse grocery stores’ apps for the latest prices and that she is also considering tracking gas prices, as well.
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Despite some hopes that egg prices would soon be dropping, current numbers show they’re skyrocketing for a variety of reasons but most especially because of the ongoing spread of avian influenza. Bird flu struck the U.S.’ chickens in January 2022 — and the Department of Agriculture estimates the disease has infected by or died from it since, as reported by NewsNation.
The average price for a dozen eggs nationwide was $4.15 in December, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s an increase of $0.85 from October. The impact of avian influenza means a smaller supply of sellable eggs, which is why some U.S. shoppers are reporting empty shelves at their grocery stores. Bird flu, coupled with inflation, account for much of the rise in prices, and unfortunately, experts say they’re expected to get even more expensive in 2025.
Syracuse University professor Patrick Penfield, a supply chain expert, told Nexstar last week that he expects egg prices could climb up to 20% or more. There’s currently no vaccine or effective treatment against the avian flu, though the Department of Health and Human Services recently announced a $590 million grant to biotech company Moderna to get the ball rolling on a potential avian influenza vaccine.
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Despite issuing an order toward federal departments on Jan. 20, directing them to pursue “emergency price relief,” Pres. Trump’s order isn’t likely to help curb the price of groceries and other consumer goods, according to experts and economists. Trump’s order proposes cutting back on federal regulations to decrease prices, though experts say this won’t address the heart of the issue.
“Trump’s cost of living order fails to address the root causes of inflation — namely corporate profiteering and broken supply chains,” Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, a progressive economic think tank, told CBS News. “This order is a talking point, not a plan.”
Meanwhile, Magda isn’t the only person online wondering what the Trump administration plans to do about grocery prices. Given Trump’s continued touting of his economic plans, the administration has lots of eyes on what it does next to fix the central issue of the 2024 Election.
“Day 6 of Trump as president,” said TikToker SHIELDS to his 10.8K followers this week, in a video showing nearly empty egg shelves. “And I have some bad news: eggs have gone up $0.50 — it is clearly obvious that Trump cannot hold his word and he must be held accountable for what he said. This man — the leader of the free world — said on Day 1 that we would be getting cheap eggs. So I’m gonna ask again: Where are my cheap eggs, Trump?”
Over on Bluesky, the increasingly popular social media site co-founded by Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, meanwhile, the story is the same.
“Promises, promises,” author Carter Christensen posted on Bluesky, along with a picture taken Friday of the $15 a dozen egg prices he saw at his New York City market. “But at least now I finally know who killed JFK.”
