Fertilizer Costs Spike as Trump Raids Public Coffers to Fund Vanity Projects
Skyrocketing gas prices affect everyone, but agricultural states like Vermont are impacted even more. Trump’s war on Iran has caused a sharp increase in the cost of fertilizer at the worst time of the year for farmers.
The Strait of Hormuz is the major shipping route for nitrogen fertilizers, and its continued closure means less and less is getting through. The cost of nitrogen-based fertilizer has gone up more than 30%, e.g., the price of Anhydrus Ammonia in January 2025 was $735 per ton. In May 2026, it is $1,123 per ton. This is a problem not only for farmers. Soon, food prices will balloon even higher than Trump’s tariffs achieved.
As Vermonters brace for higher inflation and food shortages, is the Administration forming plans help? No. Trump seems obsessed with one thing: Decorating. After gilding everything in sight in the White House, he now tweets nonstop about The Ballroom.
The Courts agree the project is illegal, but it is also corrupt. When initial estimates ballooned from $200M to $300M to $400M, Trump claimed it would be 100% funded by private donors. And it was – classic influence peddling. However, the GOP has now submitted a Bill allocating $1 Billion in taxpayer dollars to the ballroom. By our calculations, that totals $1.4B. And don’t get us started on the Arch. This, as Vermonters struggle to feed their families or drive to Grandma’s house.
Not for nothing: Fears of famine in vulnerable places around the world are growing daily. For the first time ever, U.S. policy alone would be responsible for mass starvation.
So much for America First.
Call your elected officials and demand they do whatever they can to hold Trump accountable for this pointless, economically devastating war and wasteful spending that come at our personal and financial expense. Here is a link to their contact information:
https://fcvtdemocrats.org/action/speak-out/call