Trump Stands by Remarks on Americans' Financial Concerns

President Trump isn't backing away from his admission that Americans' wallets aren't top of mind as he negotiates with Iran. Asked Friday by Fox News' Bret Baier about his remarks from earlier in the week that he wasn't thinking about Americans' finances "even a little bit," Trump replied, "That's a perfect statement, I'd make it again," reports NBC News. He had said on Tuesday his singular focus is blocking Iran from obtaining nukes, insisting, "I think about one thing: You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon."

The comments have drawn fire from Democrats and put Republicans on the defensive as gas prices, up about 50% since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, top $4.50 a gallon, on average. Trump, interviewed while in China, said he's "OK" with those higher prices at the pump and framed the spike as "short-term pain" tied to Iran's blockade of the vital Strait of Hormuz, which has tightened global oil supplies. He predicted prices will fall once the strait mess is remedied, adding that he won't let the looming midterms, or voter anger over costs, influence his approach: "I'm not gonna let the election determine what's going to happen with respect to Iran."