'Last of Our Concerns': Trump Economic Adviser Dismisses Consumer Concerns on Gas Price Hike

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett has inadvertently revealed how low a priority consumers' struggles appear to be for Donald Trump's administration. The US president's economic adviser said that consumers battling soaring petrol prices were 'the last of our concerns' amidst the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Trump Economic Adviser Downplays Consumer Struggles Amidst Iran War

Kevin Hassett recently spoke on CNBC's Squawk Box, where he addressed the economic toll that American consumers are feeling. Trump's economic adviser candidly pointed out that 'the US economy is fundamentally sound' and that the ongoing war 'wouldn't really disrupt the US economy very much at all.'

Hassett then downplayed the effect on American consumers, bluntly pointing out that it was not something that the administration initially considered.

'It would hurt consumers and we'd have to think about if that continued what we would have to do about that,' he stated. 'But that's the like, really the last of our concerns right now because we're very confident that this thing is going ahead of schedule.'

Outrage Erupts Over Hassett's Comments on Consumers Concern

Not surprisingly, Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill quickly reacted after Hassett appeared to dismiss consumer concerns, flooding social media with sharp criticism. Many accused him of being out of touch with everyday Americans struggling with rising costs and economic uncertainty.

Posts from several Democratic officials highlighted frustrations over inflation, wages and affordability, arguing that dismissing these issues ignores real hardships faced by millions. The swift online response underscored how economic messaging remains a key political battleground, with Democrats aiming to amplify voter concerns while challenging Republican narratives on the state of the economy and its impact on working families.

'The Trump administration has once again said the quiet part out loud,' wrote House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on his official X account. 'Republicans don't give a damn about the American people and will continue to make your life more expensive.'

'You deserve better,' Jeffries concluded.

Oil Shock Deepens Pressure On US Households

Hassett's comments were aired just as consumers face rising costs across several essential goods, driven largely by global energy disruptions. Prices for oil, gas, and even agricultural inputs like fertilizer have surged following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for a significant share of the world's oil supply.

The impact is already being felt at the pump. According to AAA, the national average for petrol in the United States climbed to $3.79 per gallon as of Tuesday morning, an increase of 11 cents compared with just a few days earlier. Analysts warn that continued instability in global energy markets could push prices even higher in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, crude oil benchmarks have also seen notable gains. West Texas Intermediate crude was trading at just over $95 per barrel, reflecting tightening supply concerns. On the global stage, Brent crude closed the week above $102 per barrel, underscoring the broader pressure on energy markets worldwide.

For now, Hassett has not provided any additional comments or shared any concern for American consumers' dilemma amidst the rising petrol prices.