"Big Mac at 20,000 Won... White House Frustrated by Government's Failed Price Control Reality"

Video Showing Big Mac Price as 20,000 Won Spreads Online
"Crazy Inflation in the Biden Era" Sparks Anger
Actual Price Is 7,200 Won but Fundamental Dissatisfaction Remains

The White House is struggling with a fake internet video claiming that the price of McDonald's signature menu item, the Big Mac, exceeds 21,000 won. Despite being a manipulated photo, it is reckoned as a 'failed inflation management reality of the Biden administration' and is spreading indiscriminately online.

Last year's '16-dollar receipt'... cited as an example of 'crazy inflation'

[Image source=Topper Olive TikTok]

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 25th (local time), the excessively increased Big Mac price has recently become a topic of controversy online.

The controversy began when Topher Olive, a resident of Idaho in the northwestern United States, posted a receipt on TikTok last December. The receipt was for a limited edition 'Smoky Quarter Pound BLT' set, showing a total meal cost of $16.10 (about 20,810 won).

However, since early this month, the post has been circulated by conservative media without any explanation about the limited edition, accompanied by the caption '16-dollar Big Mac meal.'

In conservative online communities, this case has been cited as evidence for claims that "hamburger prices are nearing $20, indicating inflation is out of control." Some netizens have continued to share the prices of fast food they ate recently, even a year later, complaining about the rising prices.

In reality, the price of a Big Mac in the U.S. is around $5.58 (about 7,200 won). This is about 70 cents higher than before President Biden took office (2021). However, the receipt photo posted last year has been cited as an example that encapsulates American public dissatisfaction with inflation ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

WP reported, "The Big Mac dilemma is considered one of the most troublesome issues for Biden's aides and the Democratic Party ahead of the 2024 election," adding, "Even though U.S. inflation is falling and growth and the labor market are active, voters still criticize the president, saying 'the economy is bad.'"

It added, "Overcoming this dissatisfaction is the White House and Democratic Party's top priority." In other words, although inflation has dropped to the 3% range and the labor market continues to grow, voters remain dissatisfied with the current economic situation and criticize President Biden.

CNN also pointed out, "The Big Mac issue is becoming an increasingly annoying problem for Democratic political strategists and economists."

Biden trails Trump in polls

[Image source=Pixabay]

Meanwhile, recent poll results have shown President Biden trailing former President Trump.

According to a survey conducted by NBC News from the 10th to the 14th of this month targeting 1,000 registered voters, former President Trump received 46% support, ahead of President Biden's 44%. Although within the margin of error (±3.1%), this is the first time in the same agency's survey that Trump has led Biden.

Other polls by CNN, Fox News, Quinnipiac University, and others also showed former President Trump leading President Biden by 2 to 4 percentage points.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.