Donald Trump says he 'doesn't think about Americans' financial situation' in Iran war
US consumer inflation rose 0.6% in April after jumping 0.9% in March - but the US President says the public's finances are not at the forefront of his mind
US President Donald Trump has said Americans' financial situation is not a consideration for him in ending the Iran war.
The US and Iran have been in conflict since joint US-Israeli strikes were carried out on several key Iranian sites on February 28. Iran retaliated by striking sites across the Middle East and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route, through which 20% of global oil trade passes.
The conflict has shocked global markets and sparked a rise in fuel prices across the world. Americans are now feeling the pinch of rising cost after data released on Tuesday showed consumer inflation rose for the second consecutive month in April, with the annual rate posting its largest gain in three years.
The consumer price index in the world's biggest economy rose 0.6% last month after jumping 0.9% in March.
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Speaking to reporters before departing for China, Trump said Americans' financial situation was "not even a little bit" of a factor for him in achieving a peace plan with Iran.
He said: "I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don't think about anybody. I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all."
His comments have sparked outrage among Democrats.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, commented on Trump's remarks. He said: "Donald Trump just said it himself: He doesn't care about the American people."
Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern, also a Democrat, said: "This is what happens when you elect an out-of-touch narcissistic billionaire."
A Reuters/Ipsos poll published this week showed that three-quarters of Americans blamed Trump for rising oil prices and 36 per cent of voters approved of Trump, compared to 62 per cent who disapproved.
Also on Tuesday, Trump defended the cost and size of the White House ballroom.
Trump told reporters: "We have a ballroom that’s under budget. I’ve doubled the size of it because we obviously need that."
"And we’re right now on budget, under budget and ahead of schedule."
A reporter pressed about the ballroom’s size and Trump responded: "I doubled the size of it, you dumb person. You are not a smart person."
