As President Donald Trump departed the White House for a trip to China, he made a statement that stunned many Americans. When asked about the financial strain the ongoing war in Iran is putting on American families, Trump bluntly replied, “Not even a little bit.” This comes as inflation has soared to a three-year high, with the national average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline reaching $4.50, according to data from the AAA motoring group.
At a press conference outside the White House, Trump was asked whether he was considering the financial impact of the war on Americans. His response was clear: “The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon.” According to ABC News, he added, “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.”
This is a significant admission from a president who made reducing inflation a central part of his 2024 re-election campaign. Just last month, Trump floated the idea of suspending the federal gas tax to bring some financial relief to Americans. Despite that, his comments suggest his focus lies elsewhere. Trump also claimed that prices will drop once the conflict comes to an end, though that offers little comfort to families struggling right now.
American families are bearing the cost of rising inflation while Trump stays focused on Iran
According to a recent poll from ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos, two-thirds of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling the economy, with three-quarters disapproving of how he is handling the cost of living. A further 72% of respondents disapprove of how he is handling inflation. The numbers paint a clear picture of how ordinary Americans are feeling about the current economic situation.
The impact of rising inflation is being felt across the country. The national average price for a gallon of unleaded gas has surpassed $4.50, and the war in Iran has also led to a spike in grocery prices, with food costs contributing significantly to the overall rise in inflation. Trump has faced scrutiny over other costly decisions too, with his Lincoln pool project drawing criticism over its rising price tag at a time when many families are finding it harder to cover basic everyday expenses.
The Federal Reserve is also dealing with the consequences of the rising inflation rate. With interest rates likely to remain high for the foreseeable future, the incoming chair of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh, will face a difficult job. As Isaac Stell, investment manager at the Wealth Club, noted, the incoming chair will have “little room for manoeuvre” and may be forced to take a more conservative approach.
As the midterm elections draw closer, the state of the economy is expected to be a major issue for voters. Inflation sitting at a three-year high, combined with rising gas and grocery prices, means the economic pressure on American households is not easing anytime soon. Trump has also drawn attention recently for making confusing remarks about drug smuggling routes, adding to concerns about the clarity of his messaging on key issues.
Trump’s admission that he does not think about Americans’ financial situation puts a spotlight on where this administration’s priorities currently stand. With inflation at its highest point in three years and poll numbers showing widespread disapproval over his handling of the economy, the gap between the administration’s focus and the everyday concerns of American families appears wide.
Published: May 13, 2026 12:08 pm