Johnson defends Trump inflation comment as 'out of context'

Johnson, who was present at the White House signing ceremony, told reporters that Trump was focused on future economic comparisons. "What he was saying is it’s going to be great to have that number and compare it to what comes next," Johnson said.

Trump himself told The New York Post that his comment referred to his appreciation that the CPI was not higher. "The numbers are going to be phenomenal because what’s showing is that despite the fact that we’re in a war, the numbers are much lower than anticipated," Trump stated.

The president's remarks come amid concerns among Republican lawmakers and strategists that rising affordability issues, potentially exacerbated by the Iran war, could jeopardize their control of the House in upcoming elections. However, Rep. Richard Hudson, the House GOP’s campaign chair, expressed confidence in retaining the House and potentially gaining seats.