WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he is not considering the financial burden of the Iran war on Americans as he continues negotiating a deal.
Speaking at the White House before departing for a trip to China, Trump was asked if “Americans’ financial situations” were motivating him to make a deal with Iran.
“Not even a little bit,” Trump replied. “The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran — they can’t have a nuclear weapon. I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing — we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.”
A reporter followed up on whether he really wasn’t thinking about the economic impact of the war.
“The most important thing by far — including whether our stock market, which, by the way, is at an all-time high — but including whether our stock market goes up or down a little bit, the most important thing by far is Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding, “Every American understands.”
Since the United States and Israel began joint strikes on Iran in late February, Iran has blocked access to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway that facilitates the daily transit of approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply.
As a result, gas prices in the United States have surged. According to a AAA tracker, the national average price of regular unleaded gas was $4.50 per gallon on Tuesday, while diesel fuel was priced at $5.64 per gallon.
Rising fuel costs have rippled across the U.S. economy, with April inflation surging to 3.8%, its highest level in nearly three years, according to data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Democrats quickly seized on Trump’s remarks. Leah Leszczynski, spokesperson for the Democratic Party in Michigan, said that while Americans were struggling to pay for necessities, Trump “is saying the quiet part out loud — and it’s equivalent to ‘let them eat cake.’”
Americans overwhelmingly have expressed discontent with the economy under Trump. A CNN/SSRS survey conducted between April 30 and May 4 found that 70% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy. That’s the highest number the pollster has recorded throughout Trump’s two terms in office. During his first term, that number never broke 50%.
