US President Donald Trump said his remarks on inflation had been taken out of context, after he said he “loves inflation” during a White House meeting. He said during the event: “I love it. The numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love the inflation.”
His remarks were criticised online, as consumer prices in his country experienced their fastest increase in three years last month. According to data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), prices increased by 4.2% in May compared with the same month a year earlier.
This marked a rise from April’s 3.8% rate, with the uptick largely attributed to higher energy costs following the US–Israel conflict involving Iran.
The US President later told the New York Post his remarks were taken out of context, and what he meant was that he was happy about inflation not being higher – and being, in fact, “much lower than anticipated”, despite the Iran war.
He told the US news outlet: “I love the inflation numbers because of what I’m talking about. The numbers are going to be phenomenal because what’s showing is that despite the fact that we’re in a war, the numbers are much lower than anticipated, and when we’re out of that war, the numbers will be at lower numbers than they were even before it started.”
During his earlier appearance, he mentioned a trip to Iowa in early 2026, saying he saw petrol selling for $1.85 per gallon, adding that “we will be back at those levels very soon”.
Talking about the inflation figures on Wednesday, the president said US forces had conducted night time operations to take “millions of barrels” of oil from Iran, which he said had contributed to a slight drop in oil prices.
He added: “When this conflict is over… you will see oil drop to where it was before.”
Mr Trump’s remarks at the White House were criticised by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who posted on X: “His contempt for you knows no bounds.”
Several social media users also expressed their disappointment over the statement.
One of the users wrote: “Despite claiming to have ended eight wars upon returning to office, Trump’s actions tell a different story. The ongoing conflict with Iran highlights the cycle of endless imperial war-making.”
