President Donald Trump has defended his remarks about inflation after facing criticism for saying he "loves inflation" during a White House meeting earlier this week. The president clarified that his comments were taken out of context, emphasizing his satisfaction that inflation was not higher than expected given the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Trump's Original Remarks and Backlash
During the White House event, Trump stated: "I love it. The numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love the inflation." The statement drew immediate backlash on social media, as new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that consumer prices in the United States rose by 4.2% in May compared to the same period last year—the fastest increase in three years. This marked a rise from April's 3.8% rate, driven largely by higher energy costs linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump's remarks on X, writing: "His contempt for you knows no bounds." Social media users also expressed disappointment, with one user commenting: "Despite claiming to have ended eight wars upon returning to office, Trump's actions tell a different story. The ongoing conflict with Iran highlights the cycle of endless imperial war-making."
President's Clarification
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump clarified that his comment referred to his happiness that inflation was "much lower than anticipated" despite the war. He said: "I love the inflation numbers because of what I'm talking about. The numbers are going to be phenomenal because what's showing is that despite the fact that we're in a war, the numbers are much lower than anticipated, and when we're out of that war, the numbers will be at lower numbers than they were even before it started."
He also referenced a trip to Iowa in early 2026, where he saw petrol selling for $1.85 per gallon, adding that "we will be back at those levels very soon."
Oil and Conflict
On Wednesday, Trump discussed inflation figures and revealed that US forces had conducted night operations to seize "millions of barrels" of oil from Iran, which he said contributed to a slight drop in oil prices. He added: "When this conflict is over… you will see oil drop to where it was before."
