Washington DC - Debate over the price of a burrito is causing indigestion for President Donald Trump's Republican Party, which fears it may be punished for the high cost of living in November's midterm elections.

The Mexican specialty – rice, beans, meat, and other toppings wrapped in a tortilla – is beloved by many Americans as an inexpensive meal.

That's no longer the case, however, argued Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for the far-right youth organization Turning Point USA.

"One of our TPUSA college students gave me his take on affordability: 'A burrito shouldn't cost $20,'" Kolvet said in a now-viral post to X this week.

Donald Trump Trump renews push to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook despite Supreme Court loss

"Yeah, a lot of this is a hangover from Covid and Biden-era inflation, but the lived experience is the same: It just feels like basic things cost too much."

His comments set off what Fox News, the Republicans' favorite channel, is describing as a "civil war" within the GOP.

Some conservatives questioned the cited price and accused American youth of having expensive tastes, while others came to their defense – and warned of political fallout.

"Stop whining, get a job, eat Ramen like the rest of us did in college, on a budget with [four] roommates. The market doesn't care what you think something 'should' cost," Dan Crenshaw, a Texas Republican congressman, wrote on X.

In Washington, the price of a takeout burrito at two popular fast-food chains ranged between $6.50 and $13.50, depending on the ingredients.

Inflation spiked to a three-year high of 4.2% in May before falling back to 3.5% in June as energy prices eased, according to federal figures.

Some warned that comments downplaying consumers' concerns about prices would have a political impact.

"If the Right's 'solution' to the affordability crisis is telling people to eat worse food, we will lose [in November], and we will deserve it," Angela Morabito, a spokesperson for the right-leaning Defense of Freedom Institute, wrote on X.