President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed a reporter's question about the extent to which Americans' financial situations are motivating him to strike a deal to end his unpopular Iran war. His answer was blunt: 'Not even a little bit.'
'The only thing that matters when I'm talking about Iran, they can't have a nuclear weapon,' he told reporters on the White House lawn. 'I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don't think about anybody.'
He continued, 'I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That's all. That's the only thing that motivates [me].'
Consumer prices have jumped and gas prices have surged by 50% since the start of the conflict in late February, figures that have buried a president who once promised to eradicate inflation on day one of his second term.
His comments arrived on the same day the latest CNN/SSRS poll found 77% of Americans blamed Trump's policies for increasing the cost of living in their communities, including 55% of GOP respondents. The poll also found that 70% of Americans disapproved of Trump's handling of the economy, while 79% disapproved of his handling of gas prices. More than half of Republicans disapproved of his handling of prices at the pump.
Social media users on X were stunned by Trump's comments, with critics suggesting Democratic candidates should use his quote in ads ahead of the midterms. Responses included calls for the clip to be featured in every Democratic ad and remarks that such a quote used to end political careers. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro noted that gas is over $4.60 per gallon in his state and accused Trump of not caring about rising costs.
Other reactions highlighted that Trump's approval ratings remain in the 30s, with one user stating that presidents are elected to protect Americans' financial situations, not start wars.
