09/22/2026
Vice President JD Vance says voters frustrated by high prices should reject “the crazy people who started these problems.” But the current record points that finger at the GOP, blunting his attack.
Inflation had fallen to 3% when Biden left office. Under President Donald Trump, inflation rose to 3.4%, while real hourly earnings declined over the past year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trump’s tariffs have increased some import costs, while his war with Iran has disrupted oil shipments and pushed gasoline to about $4.48 a gallon. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the conflict will add roughly half a percentage point to inflation into 2027.
Biden-era inflation may explain why prices started rising, but Trump’s policies are causing them to rise even faster now. Vance’s call to blame those responsible may not point voters in the direction he intends. 🤣