Vice President JD Vance's claim that the average family is $1,000 richer than 11 months ago is technically true in nominal dollars but misleading when adjusted for inflation. Per capita disposable personal income rose from $66,095 in Q1 2025 to $68,359 in Q1 2026, a gain of $2,264 per person, while aggregate wages and salaries climbed from $12.79 trillion to $13.24 trillion. However, real average hourly earnings slipped from $11.32 in May 2025 to $11.24 in May 2026, and headline PCE inflation ran at 3.77% in April 2026, erasing most nominal gains. A typical commuter faces roughly $630 in extra annual fuel costs as energy prices surged 18% year-over-year, and the personal savings rate dropped to 3.7% while credit card delinquency hit 3%, signaling household strain.