Trump Says He ‘Loves the Inflation’ as CPI Rises 4.2% and Democrats Pounce
President Donald Trump’s response to a new inflation report quickly became a political flashpoint Wednesday after he said he “love[s] the inflation” as consumer prices rose at their fastest annual pace in three years.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index increased 4.2% over the 12 months ending in May, up from 3.8% in April. Energy prices were a major driver, with the energy index up 23.5% over the year and gasoline prices up 40.5%.
CBS News reported that Trump described the numbers as “great” and tied his answer to U.S. actions involving Iranian oil and the Strait of Hormuz. Trump argued that oil and gas prices would fall rapidly once the conflict ends.
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Democrats seized on the comment almost immediately.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X that Trump said “I love the inflation” on camera. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark also criticized the remark, and the Democratic National Committee issued a rapid-response statement accusing Trump of failing to control costs.
House Budget Committee Democrats separately pointed to the 4.2% CPI reading and said families are still feeling high prices at grocery stores, gas stations and in monthly bills.
The comment creates a clear messaging problem for the White House because inflation remains well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% longer-run goal. While Trump’s argument was that prices could have been worse and may fall later, Democrats are framing the phrase itself as a shorthand attack on his economic record.
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