Trump Says He Loves Inflation

Inflation just hit a 4.2% jump year over year, its third straight monthly rise, and energy prices are leading the charge. President Trump is betting that a ceasefire in the Middle East and open shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz will make those price hikes fade fast—he’s publicly tying household costs to progress on Iran talks at the G7. But affordability is biting hard: real earnings are dropping and just a third of Americans back his handling of inflation. If the war drags or Lebanon flares up, the promise that prices “come down like a rock” could backfire, leaving his messaging in a risky bind.

Meanwhile, Trump’s turning up the spectacle at home with a $60 million UFC mega-event on the South Lawn for his 80th birthday—complete with an 87-foot octagon and a VIP after-party that has even Joe Rogan raising eyebrows. The glitzy bash is meant to fire up the young male base, but it’s also fueling debates about priorities: can you throw the “hottest ticket in Trumpworld” while voters are squeezed at the pump and checkout line? And with new White House renovations and high-profile projects in the works, critics say it’s all about personal brand over public need.

Based on reporting from CNN, NBC News, The Wall Street Journal, and more.

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