STORY
Donald Trump has faced criticism after appearing to welcome new inflation figures showing US prices rising at their fastest rate for three years. The President told reporters that he “loved” the latest inflation numbers, while arguing that price rises would fall sharply once the war with Iran ends. The consumer price index rose by 4.2% year on year in May, up from 3.8% the previous month, with energy prices a major factor behind the increase.
The White House has also said the administration expects inflation to ease when pressure on oil markets reduces, while Trump has insisted that the conflict with Iran is necessary for national security reasons. The crisis hit administration has yet to detail how they intend to end the Iran war and the President failed to explain when inflation would fall.
Democrats have seized on the comment as evidence that Trump is out of touch with families struggling with the cost of living, with Chuck Schumer accusing him of showing contempt for ordinary Americans. The political danger for Trump is that he won the 2024 election partly by attacking inflation under Joe Biden, making any suggestion that he is now relaxed about rising prices especially damaging.