TANGENT
Trump said Wednesday the U.S. has been “taking out millions of barrels of oil” during the Iran war, claiming that’s why oil prices are at $85 a barrel (West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures were trading at $91 on Wednesday).It’s unclear what Trump meant by “taking out” oil; he also said the U.S. “took out the other night, 22 ships.”
Read more Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Hit’ Iran Again Today—After Previously Criticizing Lengthy Peace Talks
Big Number
22%. That’s the share of Americans who said in a Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week they are satisfied with Trump’s handling of the cost of living, less than the 29% who said they approved of former President Joe Biden’s handling of the issue when he left office.
Key Background
Trump made the comments about inflation as he restarted attacks on Iran, telling reporters the U.S. would attack Iran “hard” on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, he said Iran would “have to pay the price” for having “taken too long to negotiate a deal,” alleging they were “all talk and no action.” He also repeated his claims that the U.S. and Iran were “really close to a deal,” something he has said for weeks, yet bouts of fighting between the two sides have continued.
NEWS PEG
Trump vowed to retaliate after Iran downed a U.S. helicopter flying near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday night, which prompted U.S. “self-defense strikes” Tuesday. The two helicopter pilots were rescued off the coast of Oman.
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further reading
Trump Says U.S. Will ‘Hit’ Iran Again Today—After Previously Criticizing Lengthy Peace Talks (Forbes)
Inflation Hit Highest Rate In 3 Years In May (Forbes)
Trump Says ‘I Don’t Think About Americans’ Financial Situations’ When Negotiating Iran War (Forbes)
Trump Says Iran Downed U.S. Helicopter—Plunging Peace Deal In Doubt (Forbes)