Core inflation reached 2.8% in November compared the year prior, the Department of Commerce confirmed on Friday.

That metric excludes food and energy costs and marked an increase of 0.2% over October 2025 according to The Hill. The development is a slight blow to President Donald Trump as his administration struggles to deal with nationwide affordability concerns.

Driving much of the increase were hikes to the costs of health care, utilities, and myriad services.

Trump campaigned on combating inflation, which rose to a high of 9.1% in 2022, under President Joe Biden. Thus far, however, polling shows the public somewhat frustrated with his approach.

On inflation alone, he boasts a 34.7% approval rating in the RealClearPolitics polling average. A further 62.3% disapproved of his handling of the issue.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.