Trump Says He 'Loves' Inflation After Consumer Price Index Hits 4.2%, Three-Year High
President Trump responded to news that inflation rose to 4.2% in May—a three-year high—by saying "I love the inflation" and calling the numbers "great." Trump attributed the spike to the Iran war and revealed the U.S. has been seizing millions of barrels of Iranian oil, which he said will drive prices down once the conflict ends. The comments come as Trump faces declining poll numbers on economic issues heading into a midterm election year.
On June 10, 2026, President Trump responded to the Consumer Price Index data showing annual inflation at 4.2%—the highest level since April 2023—by expressing approval rather than concern. When asked if he was worried about the spike, Trump said "I love the inflation" and described the numbers as "great." He attributed the inflation primarily to the Iran war and oil prices, revealing that the U.S. has been "taking out millions of barrels of oil" from Iran at night without lights, stating he was "announcing today for the first time" this operation. Trump predicted that once the war ends, inflation and oil prices will "come down like a rock." Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, remained at 2.9% annually, in line with economist forecasts. The comments are notable given Trump's historically strong polling on economic issues, though he is currently underwater on the economy according to reporting.
How coverage differed
The New York Post (right-leaning) framed Trump's comments as him "brushing off" inflation, using language that emphasizes dismissal. Center-leaning outlets (CBS, CNBC, BBC, The Hill) presented the story more factually, focusing on Trump's direct statements and the context of the inflation data, with some outlets like CBS providing additional reporting on Trump's polling weakness on economic issues.
What different sources said
- ForbesCenter
Trump Says ‘I Love The Inflation’ After It Reaches 3-Year High
- NewsweekCenter
Trump Says ‘I Love the Inflation’ as Approval Rating Sinks to Record Low
- The IndependentLeft
Trump to Iran: We just took your oil
- PBS NewsHourLeft
WATCH: Trump claims U.S. is taking 'millions of barrels' of oil out of Strait of Hormuz, calls inflation data 'great'
- Washington ExaminerRight
Trump says US has moved 100 million barrels of oil through Strait of Hormuz
- Washington ExaminerRight
Trump embraces inflation: ‘I love it’
- FortuneCenter
‘I love the inflation’: Trump is ‘not concerned’ about inflation hitting 4% for the first time since 2023. ‘The numbers were great’
- CNBCCenter
Trump says U.S. secretly moved more than 100 million barrels of oil through Strait of Hormuz
- The HillCenter
Trump claims 100 million oil barrels secretly moved through Strait of Hormuz
- Mother JonesLeft
“I Love Inflation,” Trump Says, As Rates Rise Thanks to Iran War
- Al JazeeraLeft
‘I love the inflation’ US President Trump dismisses price concerns
- NYT WorldLeft
Trump’s ‘Secret Mission’ to Ferry Oil Past Iran Was Widely Disclosed
- ABC NewsCenter
Trump claims more than 100M barrels of oil, 200 ships gone through Strait of Hormuz
- Times of IndiaCenter
Trump announces secret Hormuz mission; claims 100m barrels of oil moved through Hormuz
- The HillCenter
Trump embraces May price spikes amid Iran war: 'I love the inflation'
- CBS NewsCenter
Trump says "I love the inflation" because U.S. is "taking" Iranian oil
- BBC US & CanadaCenter
Trump: 'I love the inflation'
- CNBCCenter
Trump says 'I love the inflation' after consumer price index hits 3-year high
- CBS NewsCenter
Trump on latest economic data linked to Iran war: "I love the inflation"
- New York PostRight
Trump brushes off major inflation spike as consumer prices skyrocket: ‘I love the inflation’
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