The White House on February 18 said the annual cost of renting a new unit has declined by nearly $100 since President Donald Trump took office, attributing the shift in part to the administration’s immigration enforcement measures to remove “illegal aliens” and broader economic policies.

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration’s agenda is focused on strengthening household finances and expanding access to homeownership.

“President Trump’s policies are and will continue to allow Americans’ incomes to go further for bills, retirement, and achieving the American dream, a key part of the American Dream is buying a home. That is finally becoming more affordable under this President,” she said.

Leavitt also stated that the annual mortgage cost for a new home has fallen by $4,000 during President Trump’s current term, after increasing by approximately $15,000 under former President Joe Biden. She added that mortgage affordability has reached a four-year high, which she described as a result of recent actions aimed at supporting American families rather than large institutional investors.

Leavitt said early economic indicators point to continued growth in 2026.

“We’re seeing promising signs every day that 2026 is going to be a record successful year for American people, just as President Trump promised,” she said. “The January jobs report shattered expectations, highlighting how the President’s pro-growth economic agenda is fueling American prosperity. The economy added 172,000 new private sector jobs to kick off the year. That’s more than two and a half times economists have predicted.”

According to the White House, the labor force participation rate has increased while the unemployment rate has declined. Leavitt said the prime-age labor force participation rate is at its highest level since 2001 and that all recent job gains have been in the private sector.

“This is truly remarkable,” she said, noting that 615,000 private sector jobs have been added during President Trump’s second term. “These are real working people. These are real American families who will be living out their American dream.”

Leavitt also said federal government employment has declined to its lowest level since 1966, estimating annual taxpayer savings at $29 billion. She added that recent net job growth has gone to native-born Americans, contrasting it with what she described as a “disgraceful pattern” under the previous administration.

The administration has pointed to trade and tariff policies as part of its strategy to secure investment and moderate inflation. Leavitt said year-over-year inflation fell to 2.4 percent in January, marking what she described as the lowest level since May. She added that core inflation has reached its lowest level in nearly five years and that real average hourly earnings for private sector workers rose in January.

Leavitt said grocery prices for items including eggs, dairy products, fresh fruit, vegetables and butter have declined since President Trump took office. She also noted that fuel prices have fallen by nearly 10 percent over the past year, with the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline now below $3 and approaching $2.70 in some states.

The administration also said prescription drug costs are declining, with additional relief anticipated pending congressional action on proposed health care legislation.

“What President Trump wants Americans to understand is that this is only the start, and the best is yet to come. The historic success that we have seen since he took office is just the beginning of enormous growth and opportunity that we are about to witness,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt said that on Thursday, President Trump is scheduled to host a board of peace meeting at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, where he is expected to announce that member states have pledged more than $5 billion toward humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, along with commitments of personnel for an international stabilization force and local policing.

She added that the President will host a working breakfast with Governors in the East Room of the White House on Friday, followed by the annual Governors Dinner on Saturday evening, which he and the First Lady will attend.

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