U.S. President Donald Trump reacts in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was quick to defend President Donald Trump’s widely reported remarks following Wednesday’s sharp spike in inflation, which is now at a three-year high.
“I knew somebody was going to ask me that,” Johnson told CNN’s Manu Raju as he stepped into range of Raju's microphone. “It was totally out of context, you know what he was talking about.”
When pressed whether Trump’s remarks were what voters want to hear right now, Johnson insisted that the president “is laser-focused on the domestic economic situation.”
“He is working to bring down prices, he is going to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened,” Johnson insisted. “We have passed legislation, he has used executive orders to get the cost of living down. Everybody got their highest tax refunds they’ve had in their whole lives, they’re getting great paychecks, there’s all sorts of great economic indicators, but there’s still challenges — gas prices among them.”
“So, what he was saying is, it’s going to be great having that number and compare it to what comes next when we get these situations resolved — that’ll be a fun thing to consider and compare — that was the context,” said the Speaker.
Speaking about the inflation report, as CNBC reported, Trump had told reporters: “No, I love it, the numbers were great.”
“You know what I really love? I love the inflation. You know why?”
“Because as soon as this war is over, you know I can say it now … you know we’ve been taking out millions of barrels of oil.”
“Nobody knows it. You know who doesn’t know about it? Iran, until right now,” Trump said.
CNBC noted that Trump, “speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, also predicted that inflation is ‘going to come down like a rock’ after the United States’ war against Iran is over.”
Critics blasted Speaker Johnson online.
Trump: "I don't care about you, I just want your vote!" MAGA: "Taken out of context." Trump: "I don't think about Americans' financial situation." MAGA: "Taken out of context." Trump: "I love the inflation." MAGA: "Taken out of context," spat one heckler on X.
“Trump meant what he said and if people are taking things outta context maybe Trump should speak English,” said one social media user.
Others called Johnson a “Trump apologist.”
"No, no they were NOT taken out of context and Mike Johnson is a little b—— !" howled one critic.
Another remarked, “Aaaand, right on cue, here’s Mike Johnson, denying Trump said and meant what we all heard him say.”