Gas is up more than 50% since the Iran war began, groceries are climbing, and inflation is back above 4%. The president’s response: he “loves it.”
Americans are paying more for everything from gas to groceries. And President Donald Trump’s reaction, on Wednesday, was not exactly reassuring.
“I love it; the numbers were great,” Trump said when asked about a new federal report showing inflation rising above 4% for the first time in three years. Then he doubled down. “You know what I really love? I love the inflation.”
Trump also bragged about “taking millions of barrels of oil from Iran in the dark of the night,” adding that “nobody knows about it until now.”
It was a striking moment, even by modern political standards — a sitting president openly embracing the very price increases millions of Americans are struggling to keep up with.
And it came at a time when those increases are becoming impossible to ignore.
According to the latest Consumer Price Index, inflation rose 4.2% year-over-year in May, driven largely by soaring energy costs tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Before the war began on February 28, inflation was sitting at 2.4%.
Since then, the economy has taken a sharp turn.
Gas prices alone have surged more than 50%, with the average price of a gallon now around $4.15, according to AAA. For commuters, families, and businesses, that’s not a minor fluctuation — it’s a direct hit to monthly budgets.
And it doesn’t stop at the pump.
Food prices continue to inch higher across key categories. Fresh baked goods like biscuits, rolls, and muffins jumped 4.7% in a single month. Eggs rose 4%. Flour climbed 2.6%.
Even in areas where prices dipped slightly — like bread, dairy, and rice — the relief is marginal compared to the broader trend of sustained increases.
And the bigger picture is even harder to ignore.
Year-over-year spikes remain steep for everyday staples: tomatoes are up 32%, lettuce 24%, instant coffee 24%, and beef and veal nearly 13%.
Consumer confidence remains deeply strained, with the University of Michigan reporting near-record lows in recent months.
And relief doesn’t appear to be coming anytime soon.
So while the White House talks about strength and strategy, Americans are dealing with something far more immediate.
Higher prices. Higher bills. And an economy where “I love inflation” doesn’t land as a joke — it lands as a warning sign.
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