The US Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, has provoked a fierce backlash and widespread mockery from Democratic politicians and the public after outlining a simplistic and, critics say, hopelessly out-of-touch solution to rising food costs.
'A Piece of Chicken and Broccoli': The Controversial Comments
During an interview with NewsNation on 14 January 2026, Secretary Rollins was questioned on how average Americans could afford to adapt their diets to the new Department of Health and Human Services dietary guidelines, which promote red meat and full-fat dairy. Host Connell McShane pointed to recent Consumer Price Index data showing a 0.7% monthly increase in food prices in December, the largest jump since October 2022.
In response, Rollins asserted that after running 'over 1,000 simulations', a meal could cost around $3. She described this meal as consisting of 'a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, a corn tortilla and one other thing'. She claimed this approach would 'save the average American consumer money' and insisted that grocery costs were 'actually coming down', attributing a recent spike to holiday spending.
Democrats Seize on 'Marie Antoinette' Moment
The remarks spread rapidly online, with Democratic lawmakers quick to condemn them as evidence of an administration disconnected from the financial strain on ordinary citizens. The comparison to Marie Antoinette's apocryphal 'Let them eat cake' was repeatedly invoked.
Representative Ted Lieu posted a mocked-up image of the meagre meal, sarcastically captioning it: 'Trump’s Secretary of Agriculture says Americans can afford this delicious $3 meal.' Colorado congressman Jason Crow juxtaposed the suggestion with Trump's luxury, writing: 'Trump gets a gold-plated new ballroom. You get a piece of chicken, broccoli, and one corn tortilla.'
In a stinging rebuke, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal labelled the advice 'a slap in the face to struggling working families'. Senator Ed Markey stated the administration had 'no idea how much dinner costs, no interest in actually making groceries affordable, and no clue how to make ends meet.'
The Reality of Rising Food Costs
Rollins's optimistic assessment of falling prices starkly contradicts official data. The CPI report she discussed detailed significant annual increases, including beef rising by 16.4% compared to the previous year. Other monthly increases included:
- Produce: +0.5%
- Coffee: +1.9%
- Beef: +1.0%
This incident is not the first time the Trump administration has faced accusations of aristocratic indifference. The 'let them eat cake' comparison was also made during the construction of Trump's $300 million Mar-a-Lago ballroom, highlighting a persistent narrative of privilege versus public struggle.
The episode leaves the Agriculture Secretary facing significant ridicule and reinforces a potent political attack line for Democrats as they highlight the cost-of-living pressures facing American households.
