US President Biden Goes Off On Journalist For Inflation Comment

United States President Joe Biden has a lot on his plate right now with most probably aware of the Ukraine crisis. But back home, the world leader has his own set of problems – particularly against people who have criticized his administration on handling key matters tied to the U.S.

Among them includes the issue of inflation. The U.S. dollar valuation has taken a hit but is something that Biden needs to address. It is something he cannot avoid but does not prevent him from being aware that journalists will want an explanation.

On Thursday, Biden was asked that question again by Lester Holt of NBC. The U.S. president had made an error in saying high inflation would be temporary and that instead, it surged to a new 40-year high.

“I think it was back in July, you said inflation was going to be temporary. I think a lot of Americans are wondering what your definition of temporary is,” Holt said during the president’s first TV interview of 2022.

“Well, you’re being a wise guy with me a little bit,” Biden said. “And I understand, that’s your job.”

The federal Consumer Price Index found overall consumer costs up 7.5% in January compared to the previous year.

In December, Biden claimed that the prior month’s 6.8% annual inflation rate was likely the “peak.” In July, the U.S. president said that inflation was “temporary” when it was around 5%.

Biden has gotten his share of criticism, particularly his policies. This includes the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, signed in March, which gave $1,400 stimulus checks to Americans who earned up to $75,000 per year, extended a $300 weekly unemployment supplement through Sept. 6 and expanded the annual child tax credit to $3,000 to $3,600 per child, up from $2,000.

Bipartisan legislation in 2020 that distributed about $4 trillion to keep the U.S. afloat during the pandemic came out in 2020. Then there was that $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill that the CBO said would add $256 billion to the federal deficit signed in November.

Biden argued that this would ultimately lower inflation by improving the transportation of goods.