WATCH: ‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation’ when negotiating with Iran, Trump says
PBS NewsHour – Politics — 2026-05-12 16:32:00 — www.pbs.org
President Donald Trump said he doesn’t “think about Americans’ financial situation” when negotiating with Iran over a deal to end the war. In a response to a reporter’s question on Tuesday regarding the influence of Americans’ financial straits on his negotiations, Trump stated, “Not even a little bit. The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran, they can’t have a nuclear weapon.”
Since the onset of the war with Iran, prices for essential goods, including gas and groceries, have surged. A recent PBS News/NPR/Marist poll indicated that 63% of Americans hold Trump responsible for the rising gas prices. Trump made these remarks to reporters ahead of his trip to Beijing, where he is expected to meet with China’s President Xi Jinping, likely discussing Iran among other topics.
### How this sits against verifiable accuracy
Trump’s statements imply that his negotiations with Iran are solely focused on preventing the country from obtaining nuclear weapons, without regard for the financial hardships faced by Americans. The excerpt does not provide any corrections or counter-evidence to his claims.
### Targets and tone
The excerpt does not show Trump singling out, insulting, demeaning, threatening, or speaking in a hostile way about specific people or groups.
In summary, Trump’s comments reflect a clear prioritization of national security over domestic economic concerns, a stance that may resonate differently with various segments of the American public.