NBC News’s Kristen Welker kept pointing out to Sen.Tim Scott (R-SC) that the Trump administration has been in charge of the economy for the past 19 months, even though Scott kept blaming Joe Biden for the country’s financial problems.
“Let’s look back at the main issue with costs in America over the last eight years,” Scott said during Sunday’s Meet The Press.
“It goes back to Joe Biden, who made inflation go up by 21% while he was in office.”
“Wait!
President Trump has been in office for two years!” Welker said.
“Let me finish, let me finish!” Scott replied, trying to keep going.
“President Trump brought inflation down from a high of 21% during the Biden years to under 5%, and right now it’s near 4%.”
“Wait, inflation was at 3% when Biden left office.
It’s now at 3.4%,” Welker said, cutting in.“And the average household has paid $1,000 more in 2025 because of the tariffs, Senator.”
“Let’s not forget. Let’s not forget the truth,” Scott shot back, continuing:
The truth tells a great story. On the first piece of legislation in 2021, the Inflation Reduction Act that we should all laugh at, took inflation to 9% in July of 2021. Cumulate the weight of inflation at the end of the Biden years, over $1,100 of lost spending power. President Trump inherited a weak economy and has built a resilient, strong economy with our wages going up and our costs flattening, finally. Every single Democrat in the Senate voted — this is really important, Kristen — voted to take money out of the pockets of senior citizens last year. Voted to stop helping people working over time by letting them keep more of their money. Voted to take money — not out of the rich people, but out of the working-class waitresses.
“But, hold on, Senator.
These are the facts.When Trump took office, inflation was at 3%.Now it’s at 3.4%.Gas prices are over $4 a gallon, up more than a dollar from a year ago.Trump’s tariffs have cost American families almost $2,000.He said he’d bring prices down right away.Did he break that promise?Prices have gone up!”
“The good news is you don’t disagree that Biden added 21% more cost to American families.
We —”
“But we’re not talking about Biden anymore,” Welker said.
“The Biden administration is over!This is —— we’re two years into the Trump administration!”
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