Trump: ‘I Don’t Think About’ Iran War’s Effect on Americans’ Finances

Consumer prices were up 3.8% for the year ending in April, including a 28.4% increase in gasoline costs year over year, but Trump told reporters that economic strain isn’t a factor in his dealmaking.

Gas prices

Gas prices rose 5.4% in April after spiking 21.2% in March. And the price of gas is up 28.4% year over year. Jenny Kane/AP

President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he is not motivated by Americans’ financial struggles to make a deal with Iran as gas prices spike and his economic approval rating drops to the lowest of his presidency.

Inflation rose sharply in April, driven largely by steep increases in energy costs as Trump’s war with Iran continues.

The consumer price index rose by 3.8% in April from the previous year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of that, the price of energy increased 17.9% over the last year.