Trump Disputes Criticism from Rep. greene Over Foreign Policy Focus, Claims Inflation is Declining
WASHINGTON (AP) - Former President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on monday, stating she has “lost her way” after the congresswoman criticized his emphasis on foreign policy issues amid ongoing concerns about the cost of living. The exchange highlights a growing tension within the Republican party regarding the balance between domestic economic concerns and international affairs as Trump prepares to retake office in january 2025.
Greene, a staunch Trump ally, told NBC News last week that the frequent meetings with foreign leaders at the White House were “not helping Americans” and urged the former president to prioritize addressing high prices and issues like health insurance premiums. “It’s not reducing the cost of living,” Greene said. “It’s doing nothing to solve the problems that are really plaguing vulnerable segments of our population,especially young people.”
Trump defended his approach, asserting that the presidency demands a “worldwide situation” focus. ”We could have a world that’s on fire, where wars come to our shores very easily, if you had a bad president,” he told reporters in the Oval office, adding that he “did not devote a lot of my time” to foreign affairs during his previous term. He expressed surprise at Greene’s criticism, suggesting she was “catering to the other side.”
The disagreement comes as Republicans grapple with effectively communicating their efforts to address inflation. Recent reports indicate a need for the party do more to sell its efforts to the wider public.
Trump has consistently attributed the initial surge in inflation to his predecessor, joe Biden, pointing to the four-decade high in consumer prices reached in June 2022. While inflation rates did ease following Federal Reserve rate hikes and the resolution of pandemic-era supply chain disruptions, voters remained dissatisfied and elected Trump to a second term last year.
However,inflation has begun to reaccelerate since Trump initiated country-by-country tariffs in April. The consumer price index rose from an annual rate of 2.3% in April to 3% in september. Despite this,Trump maintains an optimistic outlook,claiming,”We now are at a very low point – we’re going to be hitting 1.5% pretty soon.” He also stated that food and energy prices are “all coming down.”
AAA reported Monday that the average gasoline price is $3.07 a gallon, a slight decrease of less than two cents from the previous year.
The exchange between Trump and Greene underscores the challenges facing the incoming administration as it navigates competing priorities and attempts to address economic anxieties while concurrently engaging on the global stage.
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