The Biden administration recently came under fire for a tweet that seemed to celebrate a decrease in inflation to 4%, the lowest since March 2021. Critics pointed out that the same chart used to illustrate this point also showed a significant increase in inflation since President Biden took office.
The chart displayed a rise in inflation from January 2021 to May 2022, peaking at 9% during Biden’s presidency. This is in stark contrast to the inflation rate under former President Donald Trump, which averaged around 2% and even dropped to 1.2% in Trump’s last full year in office.
Great news: Today’s inflation report shows annual inflation is now at the lowest level since March 2021, and less than half of what it was last June.
This is giving families real breathing room. pic.twitter.com/l5k3B9WU2t
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2023
The White House’s tweet was met with criticism from conservatives, including Steve Guest, former communications director for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who pointed out the inflation surge coincided with Biden’s inauguration. Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), questioned the administration’s apparent pride in continued price increases.
Fox News contributor Justin Haskins accused the White House of misleading the public about the nature of inflation. He explained that a decrease in inflation does not equate to more ‘breathing room’ for families, as the White House suggested, but simply means the rate of price increases is slowing. Haskins called for deflation for prices to actually decrease.
This is so dishonest! @WhiteHouse knows most don't understand inflation. Inflation going down does not mean there is more "breathing room." It means the rate of price increases is slowing, but still going up. We are paying more than ever! We need DEFLATION for prices to go down.
— Justin T. Haskins (@JustinTHaskins) June 13, 2023
The slight decrease in inflation in May was reportedly due to lower gas prices and increases in grocery prices and other items. However, this is unlikely to reassure Federal Reserve policymakers, as ‘core’ prices, which the Fed primarily focuses on, have risen for the sixth consecutive month in May.
