Former President Donald Trump said 'I love the inflation' during a campaign rally in Ohio on June 10, 2026, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the annual inflation rate had jumped to 4.2% in May, the highest level in three years.
The remark came as Trump criticized the Biden administration's economic policies, but his phrasing drew immediate backlash from Democrats and economists. The 4.2% rate, up from 3.6% in April, was driven by rising energy and housing costs.
Trump's campaign later clarified that he was being sarcastic, but the comment was widely shared on social media. The Biden campaign seized on the statement, accusing Trump of being out of touch with struggling families.
Economists note that the inflation rate remains below the peak of 9.1% in June 2022, but the recent increase has become a key issue in the 2026 midterm elections.
