WASHINGTON — In what one aide called “Operation TenderVictory,” Donald Trump boldly announced that the Department of Justice has been ordered to investigate major meat-packing companies over rising beef prices. Reports show ground beef costs squeezing households while ranchers—according to Trump—are being unfairly blamed.
“You might think it’s Wall Street or Big Tech messing with your wallet,” Trump declared from the White House podium, “but it turns out it’s Big Steak. Big, foreign-owned steak.” He pointed to consolidation in the meat-processing world and alleged “price fixing, collusion, manipulation” by companies handling 85 % of U.S. grain-fed cattle.
In true Wokelish fashion, aides prepared a “Rancher Rescue” logo—depicting a heroic cow in a cape charging a giant meat-packing plant. A senior DOJ official, speaking on background, quipped: “We never expected a charge titled ‘Beefgate’ on our docket… but here we are.”
Democrats had mixed reactions. Some wagged eyebrows that the probe might distract from food-inflation concerns; others cheered any attempt to hold big-business accountable. One GOP senator from a beef-state said: “Finally the president is taking on something I thought he cared about… steak.”
Meanwhile, in supermarkets, consumers interpret the moment rather differently: “Does this mean I should buy chicken instead? Or is the chicken next?” asked one shopper in Des Moines.
In the end, Trump insisted the mission is about farms, families and freedom: “Ranchers are America’s backbone. They shouldn’t be foot-soldiers for foreign-packer profits. We’ll stand up for them and stand up for your dinner plate.”
