On the third day of Whatley’s Christmas Costs, the cost of holiday gifts shot up because of DC insider Michael Whatley’s reckless tariffs.

Whatley has called the trade war “record setting in terms of […] effectiveness” and supports them “wholeheartedly.”

WTVD: Holiday shoppers could spend more on gifts in 2025

• New estimates from the National Retail Federation find that shoppers could spend roughly 4% more this holiday season.
• Matthew Macon, who lives in Raleigh, says he has been thinking about the logistics of giving gifts and getting them at a good price.
• He’s also worried about cost because of tariffs.
• NC State Economist Rob Hansfield, who is the Executive Director of the Supply Chain Cooperative, says many companies stockpiled inventory in the summer and as we get closer to Christmas, tariffs could impact holiday shopping.

WECT: Holiday shoppers bracing for higher costs, survey finds

• As the most wonderful time of the year approaches, excitement is mixed with anxiety over inflation and high prices. 
• According to NerdWallet, holiday shoppers are expecting to spend on average nearly $200 more this year than they spent last year.
• Sara Rathner with NerdWallet said a lot of this has to [do] with concerns over how much tariffs are going to affect the prices of holiday gifts.

“As North Carolinians buy gifts to put under the Christmas tree, they’re going to see that price tags have skyrocketed since last year, all thanks to DC insider Michael Whatley’s tariffs,” said Mallory Payne, senior communications advisor for the North Carolina Democratic Party. “Whatley cares more about being loyal to DC politicians than lowering costs for North Carolina families this holiday season.”

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