President Donald Trump on Tuesday gave his two cents to a reporter who asked to what extent “Americans’ financial situations are motivating” him to strike a deal to end his unpopular Iran war.

His answer? “Not even a little bit.”

“The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” he told reporters on the White House lawn.

“I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody.”

He continued, “I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all. That’s the only thing that motivates [me].”

Trump on Iran War:Reporter: What extent are Americans’ financial situation motivating you to make a deal?Trump: Not even a little bit. I don't think about Americans’ financial situation pic.twitter.com/TJ94pGpqD8

Consumer prices have jumped and gas prices have surged by 50% since the start of the conflict in late February, figures that have buried a president who once promised to eradicate inflation (among other economic promises) on day one of his second term.

His comments arrived on the same day the latest CNN/SSRS poll found 77% of Americans blamed Trump’s policies for increasing the cost of living in their communities.

That includes 55% of GOP respondents who pointed the finger at the president for a rise in living expenses.

The poll also found that 70% of Americans disapproved of Trump’s handling of the economy, while 79% of respondents disapproved of his handling of gas prices.

More than half of Republicans disapproved of his handling of prices at the pump (52%), as well.

Social media users on X were stunned by Trump’s comments, including a number of critics who suggested Democratic candidates should use his quote in their ads ahead of the midterms.

if it wasn’t the the post world war 2 order and our whole damn democracy at stake you’d really have to laugh https://t.co/cYE0txpXIm

This should be in every Democratic ad in the midterms for every candidate running for every office. https://t.co/lcYhOrVLW5

PUT THIS CLIP IN EVERY DEMOCRATIC AD ACROSS THE COUNTRY https://t.co/LuuVTeJCG4

Democrats should put him on the campaign trail. https://t.co/uW3IuBAI4e

Has it ever been clearer that Donald Trump doesn't care about you?As he said, not even a little bit. https://t.co/HLkf4rCnrd

Another absolutely horrendous quote that will be shoved down Republicans' throats during the 2026 midterms https://t.co/G3Xe3aH6rN

Gas is over $4.60/gallon in Pennsylvania today.Donald Trump’s chaos continues to jack up costs and make life harder for everyone — and he literally doesn’t give a damn. https://t.co/8M333Ps3Wp

The kind of quote that used to end political careers https://t.co/1sdhKy9cns

Trump just admitted what we’ve known all along: he does not care that Americans can’t afford to live. https://t.co/n2IoQYKfKO

Of course Trump, the narcissist in chief, doesn't think about the financial situation of Americans. To Trump, it doesn't matter that the working class is struggling economically. What matters to Trump is that his family got $4 billion richer since he was elected. That's it. https://t.co/sR5pYpxQb0

Trump says screw you America, I don’t care of you struggle! Insert this to all messaging moving forward. https://t.co/mQ4qa7mWBc

And this is why his approval ratings sit in the 30’s% at all time lows. Presidents are voted into office to protect Americans financial situation not starts wars. He just doesn’t get it. https://t.co/VGJxKOXMYd

Anthony Orrico contributed reporting.

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