President Donald Trump said on Friday that he ordered the Department of Justice to investigate meatpacking companies that he said are artificially inflating beef prices, reflecting his broader affordability agenda.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said meatpacking companies are driving up beef prices “through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation” and promised to protect American cattle ranchers from such practices.
“They are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices, and jeopardize the security of our Nation’s food supply,” he wrote. “Action must be taken immediately to protect Consumers, combat Illegal Monopolies, and ensure these Corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American People. I am asking the DOJ to act expeditiously.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the investigation has already started and is being led by Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division Abigail Slater in partnership with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“Let’s get to work,” Rollins posted on X with emojis of a cow and an American flag.
The announcement follows Trump’s recent comments on importing beef from Argentina as a way to lower meat prices. The move would demonstrate the benefits of Trump’s friendly relationship with Argentine President Javier Milei.
In a subsequent post, Trump said the DOJ will look into why boxed beef prices have increased while cattle prices have dropped, which he described as “fishy.”
“We will get to the bottom of it very quickly,” he added. “If there is criminality, those people responsible will pay a steep price!”
The meatpacking industry is largely controlled by four companies: Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill, and the National Beef Packing Company. Ranchers have alleged that the major meatpackers engage in price gouging and use their market dominance to turn a profit while cattle producers suffer.
Throughout the week, Trump has emphasized his record on affordability during his second term as Democrats celebrated their wins in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City. The economy was one of the top primary concerns for voters, who felt the Democratic Party sold better messaging on the matter.
TRUMP BLASTS AFFORDABILITY ‘CON JOB’ AFTER BEING CHALLENGED ON WALMART THANKSGIVING BASKET
In touting his focus on affordability, Trump cited Walmart’s 25% lower Thanksgiving dinner prices this year compared to last year under the outgoing Biden administration. A reporter challenged his claim on Friday, noting there are fewer items on this year’s list. Trump fired back.
“They’re giving you prices, so that would mean that the whole series of pricing and costs, you know, the groceries and everything else, it was a con job,” he said. “It was a con job, affordability. They call — it was a con job by the Democrats. The Democrats are good at a few things, cheating on elections and conning people with facts that aren’t true.”
