'We talk about it constantly': Johnson defends Trump as Iran war drives up inflation and gas prices

WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson defended President Donald Trump on Wednesday after the president said Americans’ financial situations were not influencing his approach to negotiations with Iran.

Speaking during a press conference, Johnson sought to reassure voters that Trump remains deeply concerned about the economic pressures facing households despite the president’s controversial remarks a day earlier.

Trump had told reporters that Americans’ personal finances were not motivating him “even a little bit” in talks surrounding the Iran conflict, adding that his priority was preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Asked about the comments, Johnson said he was unsure of the exact context but strongly defended Trump’s economic focus.

“I don’t know the context in which he made that comment, but I can tell you the president thinks about Americans’ financial situations,” Johnson said.

“I talk to him, on average, twice a day, sometimes three or four times a day, and we talk about it constantly,” he added.

Iran conflict disrupts Republican economic message

Johnson acknowledged that the ongoing conflict involving Iran has complicated Republican efforts to campaign on affordability and economic recovery.

According to the speaker, Trump remains “laser-focused” on ending the crisis and restoring stability to global energy markets.

Johnson argued that reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route disrupted during the conflict  would significantly ease pressure on fuel prices and the broader economy.

“The conflict with Iran has put a little damper on that,” Johnson said, referring to Republican economic initiatives.

“Now, as soon as that’s resolved, I agree with the Treasury secretary, I agree with the president, you’re going to have an alleviation of the pain at the pump, and you’re going to have prices come down overall,” he added.

Oil disruptions fuel inflation surge

The economic fallout from the Middle East crisis has become increasingly visible across the United States.

Iran’s disruption of oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has contributed to a sharp rise in gasoline prices, with the national average climbing above $4.50 per gallon, according to data from AAA.

The energy shock also played a role in pushing US inflation to 3.8% in April, according to figures released Tuesday by the United States Department of Labor. Economists noted that the figure marked the highest inflation rate recorded in three years.

The spike has created political challenges for Republicans, who have spent months highlighting falling inflation and improved economic conditions under Trump compared to the previous administration.

Mike Johnson blames Biden-era spending

During his remarks, Johnson credited Trump and congressional Republicans with trying to reverse what he described as the inflationary policies of former President Joe Biden.

“We’ve done everything, the Republican Party, under President Trump’s leadership, have done everything that we possibly can to reverse the maddening inflation of the Biden years that was at 40-year highs,” Johnson said.

He also criticized what he called “gross misspending” over recent years and promoted Republican-backed economic legislation, including the so-called 'Big Beautiful Bill' and the 'Working Families Tax Cut', which he said contain pro-growth measures designed to stimulate the economy.