According to reports from AP and the New York Post, during a press briefing at the White House, Trump was asked about concerns regarding the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for May. He responded, "The numbers are great. Do you know what I really love? I love inflation."
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the CPI rose by 4.2% in May compared to the same month last year, marking the highest increase since April 2023. Month-over-month, the index increased by 0.5%, with energy prices accounting for over 60% of the total monthly rise.
Trump later clarified that his comments were related to the surge in energy prices due to the war in Iran. He stated, "Once the war is over, prices will come down," and claimed that the U.S. is supporting large-scale oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. He also mentioned that U.S. forces had removed 22 ships and supplied over 100 million barrels of oil to the global market through covert operations.
However, AP noted that there is no official data to support Trump's claims. His remarks came on the same day that high inflation was attributed to the economic burdens of the war in Iran, fueling the controversy.
As the backlash grew, Trump explained in a phone call with the New York Post that his comments were taken out of context. He said he was referring to the inflation figures that would improve once the war concludes, asserting, "The numbers will come down significantly, and that’s what I meant."
This controversy follows recent criticism Trump received for his comments regarding the financial burdens on Americans. On May 12, when asked if the potential for an agreement with Iran was affected by Americans' financial situations, he replied, "Not at all," adding, "I don’t think about the financial situation of Americans." His statement, which prioritized preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, drew criticism for being insensitive to the financial struggles of the public.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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