President dismisses inflation, prioritises nuclear weapons over Americans’ finances
Updated ,first published
New York: US President Donald Trump ignored the rise in inflation due to the Iran war and declared that he did not consider the financial situation of Americans when deciding whether to make a deal with the regime to end the conflict.
The comments, quickly embraced by Democrats, came as Trump left Washington for a high-stakes trip to Beijing, where he expects to have a “long conversation” about Iran with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This marks the first time a US president has made an official visit to China since Trump went to China in 2017 during his first term.
Figures released on Tuesday (US time) show inflation jumped from 3.3 percent in March to 3.8 percent in April; This is stated to be largely due to rising energy costs following the war.
Inflation in Australia also jumped from 3.7 percent in February to 4.6 percent in March due to the impact of fuel and housing costs.
The US national average gasoline price is now up to $4.50 per gallon (AUD$1.65 per litre); This is expensive by American standards, but cheaper than in Australia.
Asked by a reporter to what extent Americans’ financial situation motivated him to make a deal to end the war, Trump said, “Not even a little bit.”
“When we talk about Iran, the only thing that matters is that they cannot have nuclear weapons,” he said. “I’m not thinking about the financial situation of Americans, I’m not thinking about anyone. I’m thinking about only one thing: We can’t let Iran have nuclear weapons. That’s all.”
The president also dismissed the rise in inflation. “Inflation is much lower than under Biden,” he said. “Our inflation is short-term… My [economic] “The policies work incredibly well.”
Meanwhile, Pentagon officials questioned by Congress revealed that the estimated cost of the war had risen to US$29 billion ($40 billion), from US$25 billion at the end of April, despite the ongoing ceasefire.
Acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst said the updated figure also takes into account ongoing operational costs such as equipment repair and replacement as well as sending more troops to the region.
Amid the ongoing stalemate over the peace deal, Trump said he would consider his next move during his long flight to the other side of the world.
“We’ll be thinking about it for the next little while,” he said. “We defeated their army so strongly, it’s over now. The blockade is very effective… We’ll just make a good deal and see what happens.”
Iran this week formally responded to a US proposal to end the war, demanding the lifting of sanctions against Iran, the lifting of the freeze on Iran’s assets worldwide and the recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Trump evaluated Iran’s counter offer unacceptable and a “piece of garbage”and he said it was so bad he couldn’t even finish reading the document.
Answering questions from reporters as he left Washington for China, Trump called two separate female journalists, one who asked questions about inflation and Iran and the other who pressed him about the rising costs of the White House ballroom, “idiots” and “idiots.”
“We had a choice: let these crazy people have nuclear weapons; if you want to do that, then you’re a stupid person and that’s what you become,” he told a female reporter. “I know you very well.”
The president’s pet ballroom project was initially estimated to cost $200 million, a figure that has now increased to $400 billion. Trump says this will be funded entirely by private donors.
“I doubled the size because we clearly need it,” he said as he leaned in to address reporters. “I’ve doubled your size, you stupid human. You… you’re not a smart person.”
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Michael Koziol is the North America correspondent for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, Sun-Herald deputy editor and a federal political correspondent in Canberra.Connect with: X or email.
