‘Perfect statement’: Trump defends saying he isn’t thinking about Americans’ finances amid Iran talks

Donald Trump‘Perfect statement’: Trump defends saying he isn’t thinking about Americans’ finances amid Iran talksThe president also said he’s not considering the political implications of the Iran war on the midterms, when Republicans will be defending slim majorities in each chamber.Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he wasn’t thinking about Americans’ finances “even a little bit” as he negotiates with Iran to end the war.Chen Mengtong / China News Service via Getty ImagesShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 15, 2026, 9:41 PM EDTBy Casey WootenPresident Donald Trump is defending remarks from earlier this week when he said he wasn’t factoring in Americans’ financial situation amid efforts to negotiate an end to the Iran war.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.“That’s a perfect statement, I’d make it again,” Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier in an interview Friday after being shown a clip of his previous comments.Trump told reporters Tuesday that he wasn’t thinking about Americans’ finances “even a little bit” as he negotiates with Iran to end the monthslong conflict, adding that his sole focus is to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.“The only thing that matters, when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation, I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.”Add NBC News to GoogleTrump says he doesn't think about Americans' financial situation during Iran negotiations 00:28Trump’s comments sparked widespread criticism from Democrats while many Republicans sought to defend him.In the Fox News interview, taped in China during Trump’s visit, the president said there will be “short-term pain” as he negotiates an end to the Iran war and a reopening of the Strait of Horumz. The blockade of the strait, one of the world’s busiest waterways for oil tankers, has spiked glo...