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President Donald Trump sparked immediate controversy Wednesday after declaring, “I love the inflation,” while responding to questions about a new government report showing a significant increase in consumer prices.

Speaking with reporters, Trump dismissed concerns about the latest inflation figures and argued that the economic data remained encouraging despite the ongoing conflict with Iran.

“No, I love it. The numbers were great,” Trump said when asked if he was concerned about the latest data, which showed the consumer price index rising to 4.2 percent over the past 12 months — with an increase of 0.5 percent in May alone, according to the Labor Department.

The president then elaborated on his remarks, linking rising energy prices to recent U.S. military actions targeting Iranian assets.

“I love the inflation,” the president continued, noting how the U.S. recently took out millions of barrels of oil and 22 ships from Iran. “That’s why oil is $85 dollars a barrel.”

Trump acknowledged that the conflict has created economic headwinds but insisted that national security concerns had to take precedence over short-term economic considerations.

He argued that the American economy had reached unprecedented heights before the war began and maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was a more pressing priority.

“We had just hit the highest stock market in history, highest 401k’s in history,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “Everything was going well, and I said I hate to do this to you guys but Iran’s going to have a nuclear weapon very soon. We have to go and attack.”

The inflation report released by the Labor Department showed that energy costs continued their upward climb in May. According to the data, energy prices rose 3.9 percent during the month after increasing 3.8 percent in April and 10.9 percent in March.

Despite the latest surge in prices, Trump and senior administration officials have continued to predict that inflation and fuel costs will decline sharply once hostilities in the Middle East subside.

For now, however, the outlook remains uncertain. Although a ceasefire remains technically in place, continued exchanges and military activity have fueled concerns that instability in the region could persist for the foreseeable future.

Trump’s critics have seized on several recent comments he has made regarding the economy during the conflict, including previous remarks indicating that concerns about Americans’ personal finances were not at the forefront of his thinking while negotiating with Iran. His latest comments about inflation are likely to add further fuel to that debate as economic concerns continue to weigh on voters.

{Matzav.com}

Former Israeli chief rabbi Rav Yitzchak Yosef delivered pointed remarks Wednesday night that appeared to criticize the Chassidishe Agudas Yisroel faction of United Torah Judaism for opposing a previous version of legislation regulating the status of bnei yeshivah, suggesting that the current wave of arrests might have been avoided had the bill been enacted.

Expressing frustration over the failure to pass the legislation, Rav Yosef said: “It’s a great shame that the law regulating the status of yeshivah students was not passed last month when the Likud had already agreed to cooperate. We agreed, and others in the chareidi parties opposed it. Perhaps that is why we are seeing all these arrests.”

The former Rishon Letzion’s comments come amid what many are describing as an unprecedented wave of arrests of yeshivah bochurim in recent days. Under a new policy attributed to Police Commissioner Danny Levy, police have reportedly been transferring detained bnei yeshivah to military authorities.

His remarks touched on a longstanding debate within the coalition regarding legislation addressing the draft status of yeshivah students. While Shas and Degel HaTorah had indicated a willingness to advance the proposed legislation, Agudas Yisroel, led by MK Yitzchak Goldknopf, opposed the bill, largely due to concerns over the inclusion of enlistment targets and potential sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Knesset today gave preliminary approval to the Basic Law: Torah Study, a measure viewed by some as an alternative approach to addressing the legal status of bnei yeshivah. According to Rav Yosef, however, the earlier draft law could have prevented the current arrest campaign.

The former Rishon Letzion’s comments highlight the growing disagreement among the chareidi parties over how best to confront the draft crisis. While Shas and Degel HaTorah believed it was preferable to secure legal protections for yeshivah students even if compromises were required, Agudas Yisroel maintained that it was better to wait for legislation that more fully addressed its concerns.

It should be noted that last year Rav Yosef made headlines when he instructed yeshivah students to disregard draft notices sent by the military.

“I said that if a draft order arrives—tear it up, tear it up, throw it into the toilet and flush the water,” he said at the time in a direct and unequivocal instruction.

{Matzav.com}

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer launched a sharp attack on the Trump administration Wednesday after new government data showed inflation continuing to climb, arguing that rising prices are placing increasing pressure on American families.

According to figures released by the Labor Department, the Consumer Price Index rose 4.2 percent over the past 12 months, including a 0.5 percent increase during May alone.

Reacting to the report on the Senate floor, Schumer said the latest numbers confirm what many Americans are already experiencing in their daily lives.

“This morning’s inflation numbers reaffirm what the American people already know: Trumpflation is getting worse and worse with no end in sight,” the Democratic leader said in a Wednesday speech from the Senate floor.

Schumer pointed to rising fuel prices linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, as well as what he described as declining public confidence in the administration’s economic stewardship.

“Let’s be clear, Republicans aren’t just failing to address the affordable crisis, they’re making it worse. Actively making it worse,” he said.

Energy markets have experienced significant volatility since military operations involving Iran began. International benchmark Brent crude oil, which traded near $70 per barrel before the conflict escalated, has climbed dramatically and at one point surpassed $100 per barrel. By Wednesday afternoon, Brent was trading at approximately $93 per barrel.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday that shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz had increased substantially. The strategic waterway, a critical route for global oil shipments, has faced major disruptions during the conflict, placing additional strain on energy markets worldwide.

President Trump has faced growing criticism over rising consumer costs during the conflict. Public concern about economic conditions has also been reflected in polling. A CNN survey conducted in May found that the president’s approval rating on economic issues had fallen to 30 percent, the lowest level recorded during his administration.

Trump has previously stated that he does not “think about Americans’ financial situations” while negotiating with Iran. He also drew criticism Wednesday when asked about the latest inflation report and responded, “I love the inflation.”

The remark quickly generated backlash from critics, who interpreted it as an endorsement of rising prices.

Trump later clarified his statement in comments to The New York Post, explaining that he was referring to the fact that inflation had not risen as much as some analysts expected.

“The numbers are going to be phenomenal because what’s showing is that despite the fact that we’re in a war, the numbers are much lower than anticipated, and when we’re out of that war, the numbers will be at lower numbers than they were even before it started,” Trump told the outlet.

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the president’s remarks, arguing that critics had misunderstood what Trump intended to say.

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Johnson said Trump’s comment had been taken “totally out of context.”

“What he was saying is it’s going to be great to have that number and compare it to what comes next,” the GOP leader told reporters. “When we get these situations resolved, that’ll be a fun thing to consider and compare.”

{Matzav.com}