Updated ,first published
New York: US President Donald Trump dismissed the rise in inflation due to the Iran war and declared that he did not think about the financial situation of Americans when deciding to make a deal with the government end the conflict.
The comments, which were immediately picked up by Democrats, came as Trump left Washington for a trip to Beijing, where he is expected to “long talk” with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding Iran.
It is the first time that the president of the United States has made a state visit to China since Trump went in 2017, during his first term.
Data released on Tuesday (US time) showed inflation rose to 3.8 percent in April – from 3.3 percent in March – mainly due to rising energy costs on the back of the war.
Inflation also rose sharply in Australia, up to 4.6 percent in March from 3.7 percent in February, driven by the cost of fuel and housing.
The average US national petrol price has now risen to $US4.50 per gallon ($AUD1.65 per litre) – expensive by US standards, but cheaper than Australia.
When asked by a journalist to what extent the financial situation of Americans was motivating him make an agreement to end the warTrump replied: “Not at all.”
“The only thing that matters when I talk about Iran: they can’t have nuclear weapons,” he said. “I don’t think about the financial situation of the Americans, I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: we can’t allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.”
The president also ignored the rise in inflation. “Inflation is much lower than it was under Biden,” he said. “Our inflation is temporary … My (economic) policies are working amazingly.”
At the same time, under questioning in Congress, Pentagon officials revealed that the estimated cost of the war had increased to $29 billion ($40 billion) – from $25 billion at the end of April, despite the ongoing ceasefire.
Acting Pentagon comptroller Jules Hurst said the updated figure took into account equipment repairs and replacements, as well as ongoing operational costs, such as moving more troops into the area.
Amid the ongoing stalemate over the peace deal, Trump said he would consider his next move during the long trip to the other side of the world.
“We will think about it in the next little while,” he said. “We’ve defeated their troops very strongly – that’s done. The sanctions are very good … we’ll just make a good deal, and we’ll see what happens.”
Iran formally responded to a U.S. ceasefire proposal this week, calling for the lifting of sanctions against Iran, a freeze on Iranian assets worldwide, and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump mentioned the offer to confront Iran unacceptable to a “piece of trash”and said it was so bad that he did not finish reading the document.
While taking questions from reporters as he left Washington for China, Trump called two different female reporters “stupid” and “stupid” — one who asked about inflation and Iran, and another who pressed him about the rising costs of his White House lobby.
“We had a choice: let these lunatics have a nuclear weapon – if you want to do that, then you’re an idiot, and you happen to be,” he told one female reporter. “I know you very well.”
Of the president animal ball room project it was originally estimated to cost $200 million, which has now ballooned to $400 billion. Trump says this will be covered entirely by private donors.
“I doubled its size because obviously we need that,” he said, leaning in to address the reporter. “I doubled his size, you dumb man. You’re – you’re not a smart man.”
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Michael Koziol is the North American correspondent for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former Sydney editor, deputy editor of the Sun-Herald and federal political reporter in Canberra.Connect through X or email address.
