During a Tuesday press conference, President Donald Trump did little to dispel the notion that he is disconnected from the concerns of ordinary Americans. When asked about plans to address rising gas prices amid the conflict with Iran, Trump responded with a tangent about past low prices before dismissing current increases as "peanuts."
Trump's Remarks on Gas Prices
Trump recalled that gas prices had been as low as $1.85 per gallon in Iowa, stating, "I had gas down to $1.85 in Iowa. I was in Iowa, and the stations had it at $1.85. But I was down to, in many cases, less than two dollars a gallon." He acknowledged that prices have since risen but downplayed the impact, saying, "You want to see the world exploded? You want to see a problem? And this is peanuts." He added, "I appreciate everybody putting up with it for a little while," promising that "it won't be much longer."
Admission of Indifference
Trump then admitted that he does not focus on gas prices, stating, "But I don't even think about that. What I think about is you cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon." This echoes previous comments where he said he doesn't consider Americans' financial situations, prioritizing preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Social Media Backlash
The "peanuts" comment drew sharp criticism on social media. Senator Jeanne Shaheen tweeted that spiking gas prices make everyday life more expensive and that middle-class Americans are paying for the war. Representative Sean Casten criticized the GOP's messaging, while Ways and Means Democrats noted that gas prices could cost households over $740 extra this year. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan contrasted Trump's reactions to falling versus rising prices. Others, including Representative Katherine Clark and commentator David P. Samson, highlighted Trump's apparent indifference to Americans' struggles.
The backlash underscores growing frustration with the administration's handling of the Iran conflict and its economic repercussions.
