Donald Trump has recently shown a fascination with certain words.
It started with “groceries.”
Then on Monday, while discussing his plan to slash prescription drug prices by 80%, Trump claimed that he had invented a new term.
“Basically, what we’re doing is equalising. There’s a new word that I came up with, which is probably the best word,” he said.
“We’re gonna equalise where we’re all gonna pay the same. We’re gonna pay what Europe’s gonna pay …” he continued.
But, “equalise” didn’t just enter into existence this Monday.
According to Merriam-Webster, the word dates back to 1599.
That same day, Trump signed a broad executive order giving pharmaceutical companies 30 days to voluntarily reduce drug prices in the U.S., or face future restrictions on what the federal government is willing to pay.
The order instructs the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to negotiate new drug pricing over the coming month.
If an agreement isn’t reached, Kennedy is directed to draft a rule linking U.S. drug prices to the lower rates paid in other countries.
During his “Liberation Day” speech last month, Trump became captivated by a simple word used to describe an everyday collection of items.
“Likewise, an old-fashioned word we use: groceries. I used it during the campaign. It’s such an old-fashioned word, but it’s beautiful: groceries. A bag with a bunch of different things in it,” he said during a speech in the White House Rose Garden, where he also announced 50% reciprocal tariffs on several countries.