House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) engaged in a tense exchange with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Thursday, telling her not to put words in his mouth — just moments after he had literally said them himself.
The awkward moment occurred as Jordan, a staunch loyalist to Donald Trump, defended the president over rising gas prices. Prices have climbed during Trump’s military actions in Iran, despite Jordan previously criticizing former President Joe Biden on the same issue.
Collins pressed Jordan on Trump’s 2024 campaign promise that gas prices would drop below $2 per gallon if he returned to office. The exchange quickly became heated.
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Collins said: “But if someone was paying $2.98 a gallon before the war, and now they're paying $4.53, saying 'that's life' might not make them feel better.”
Jordan responded: “Those are your words, not mine.”
Collins countered: “You said that just now. I quoted you.”
Earlier in the interview, Jordan had stated: “Gas prices were coming down until we had to deal with this situation. But, you know, that’s life.” He then argued that the increase resulted from decisions Trump is making “that are going to help our country.”
Collins pushed back, noting that for Americans who saw prices rise from $2.98 to $4.53, being told “that’s life” offers little reassurance.
Jordan replied: “Those are, those are your words. Not mine. I’m saying...”
Collins interrupted: “No, you said, ‘That’s life’ just now.”
Jordan then pivoted, defending Trump’s rationale for striking Iran despite U.S. intelligence assessments indicating the country was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons.
The exchange highlighted the ongoing debate over economic promises versus reality, as well as the political divide on foreign policy decisions.
