Press ReleaseUrgent2026-05-12

Trump’s War Drives Painful Price Spikes

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This press release from Representative Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA) was published on 2026-05-12 and titled "Trump’s War Drives Painful Price Spikes".

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Trump’s War Drives Painful Price Spikes

Inflation data released by the Trump Administration today via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed prices surging, as inflation reached the highest levels in three years. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report found that prices rose at an annual rate of 3.8 percent in April. The increase was driven by skyrocketing fuel and gas prices amid President Trump’s unpopular war with Iran, but other items including groceries, electricity, and travel expenses also saw steep increases. Rep. Don Beyer, Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, said: “As the American people suffer the ill effects of higher prices inflicted on them through a foolish war they largely oppose, Republicans in Washington – who keep voting to continue that war – are preparing to spend a billion dollars in taxpayer money on a fancy golden ballroom for Donald Trump. “This is not the leadership of American statesmen, it is the behavior of deliriously out-of-touch Ancien Régime aristocrats. And no one is more out of touch than Trump himself, who keeps insisting that the affordability crisis is a ‘hoax’ while he does all he can to make life less affordable for American families. Prices are rising at a catastrophic rate thanks to this disastrous war of choice, and Trump is alternating between bloviating to his lackeys about his ballroom and yelling at clouds in manic late night social media tantrums. “The Constitution empowers Congress to make our country better and stronger, reflect the popular will, and rein in Executive Branch excesses. This Republican-led rubber stamp Congress is among the weakest in our history, and their surrender of power amid economic calamity and blatant presidential corruption is a national embarrassment that will be long remembered. The American people deserve better.”

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Trump’s War Drives Painful Price Spikes Inflation data released by the Trump Administration today via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed prices surging, as inflation reached the highest levels in three years. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report found that prices rose at an annual rate of 3.8 percent in April. The increase was driven by skyrocketing fuel and gas prices amid President Trump’s unpopular war with Iran, but other items including groceries, electricity, and travel expenses also saw steep increases. Rep. Don Beyer, Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, said: “As the American people suffer the ill effects of higher prices inflicted on them through a foolish war they largely oppose, Republicans in Washington – who keep voting to continue that war – are preparing to spend a billion dollars in taxpayer money on a fancy golden ballroom for Donald Trump. “This is not the leadership of American statesmen, it is the behavior of deliriously out-of-touch Ancien Régime aristocrats. And no one is more out of touch than Trump himself, who keeps insisting that the affordability crisis is a ‘hoax’ while he does all he can to make life less affordable for American families. Prices are rising at a catastrophic rate thanks to this disastrous war of choice, and Trump is alternating between bloviating to his lackeys about his ballroom and yelling at clouds in manic late night social media tantrums. “The Constitution empowers Congress to make our country better and stronger, reflect the popular will, and rein in Executive Branch excesses. This Republican-led rubber stamp Congress is among the weakest in our history, and their surrender of power amid economic calamity and blatant presidential corruption is a national embarrassment that will be long remembered. The American people deserve better.”