Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to former President Donald Trump, ignited a firestorm of criticism this week after making a series of starkly contrasting claims about America's progress, including a widely disputed assertion about inflation.
Controversial Thanksgiving Comments
During a Tuesday interview on Fox News, host Jesse Watters asked Miller what he was thankful for this Thanksgiving. Miller, who served as the Trump White House deputy chief of staff for policy, raised his voice as he delivered his response.
"I praise God every day that Donald Trump is our president and we've gone from 30% inflation, 20 million illegals, unlimited refugees, violent crime in our cities to security in our cities, no more illegals, no more refugees and finally a country that puts American citizens first," Miller stated.
The segment was quickly shared online, drawing immediate scrutiny for its factual accuracy, particularly the 30% inflation figure.
Fact-Checking the 30% Inflation Claim
Critics and financial data were quick to counter Miller's rhetoric. While inflation did surge during the presidency of Joe Biden, becoming a key issue in the 2024 election, the numbers cited by Miller were a significant exaggeration.
According to official U.S. government records, the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate peaked at 9.1% for the 12 months ending in June 2022. This was the highest point during Biden's term. Cumulative inflation across the entirety of Biden's presidency was calculated at 21%, a figure still substantially lower than the 30% claimed by Miller.
Historically, the United States has not recorded an annual inflation rate of 30% or higher in its modern statistical record, which dates back to 1913.
Swift and Widespread Backlash
The reaction on social media platform X was swift and merciless. One user called Miller a "heinous liar," while another mocked the ever-increasing numbers, writing, "Somehow their inflation numbers keep getting inflated."
Many expressed sheer disbelief, with one person noting they "stopped reading and started laughing at 30% inflation." Another critic suggested that if Miller was inventing numbers, he might as well have claimed "200% inflation and 100 million illegal immigrants."
The criticism extended beyond the inflation claim, with one observer noting, "Even Jesse [Watters] doesn't look like he buys it," referencing the Fox News host's on-camera reaction.
Miller's Domestic Thanksgiving Strategy
Later in the interview, Watters inquired how Miller, who is married to MAGA podcaster Katie Miller and has three children, contributes to Thanksgiving in his own home.
Miller admitted he would be "incapable of helping" and that any attempt would be "interpreted widely as an act of sabotage." He framed this as a strategic advantage, comparing it to the trope of a man folding a sweater incorrectly to avoid the chore forever.
"The safest play is to just watch TV and stay out of the way as best you can," Miller told Watters. "My service is saying how delicious the gravy is, how great the turkey is, how wonderful the cranberry sauce is. That's how I give back, with compliments."
While his family may receive those compliments, online critics were far less complementary about his public comments, leaving his economic claims thoroughly fact-checked and widely dismissed.
