During her first press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed soaring egg prices to the Biden administration’s and USDA’s response to avian flu. She claimed that directives to cull over 100 million chickens led to supply shortages and a 65% price increase in 2024.
Specifically, Leavitt stated that the Biden administration and USDA had directed “the mass killing of more than 100 million chickens” to combat the spread of avian influenza. This large-scale culling, according to Leavitt, has led to a significant reduction in the chicken population and consequently, a shortage in the egg supply.
Leavitt emphasized that this shortage is a major factor contributing to the current high prices of eggs across the country. She noted that egg prices had increased by 65% in 2024 during Biden’s tenure.
The press secretary also broadened the scope of the discussion, stating that the cost increases were not limited to eggs but extended to other groceries and commodities like bacon and gasoline. She attributed these widespread price hikes to what she termed the “inflationary policies” of the Biden administration.
Leavitt used this situation to underscore the importance of swift Senate confirmation for President Trump’s nominees, particularly highlighting Brooke Rollins, the nominee to be USDA secretary. She mentioned that Rollins was already in discussions with Kevin Hassett, who leads the White House economic team (National Economic Council), to address the egg shortage.
Reality check: While the administration blames Biden-era policies, the ongoing avian flu outbreak remains a key factor and has been one for years. Analysts say culling the birds was the necessary move... otherwise HPAI would have been more rampant. Hassett and other analysts are now looking closer at the matter and a more balanced explanation may be provided. Link to an in depth report we released on the topic.