Trump 'of course' cares about Americans' financial pain, Vance says

Source: USA Today

4:24 p.m. ET


WASHINGTON — Vice President JD Vance tried to clean up recent comments by Donald Trump in which the president said he isn't considering Americans' financial hardships as he negotiates a deal to end the war in Iran.

"I think that's a misrepresentation of what the president said," Vance told reporters on May 13 in response to a reporter's question during a White House event announcing an anti-fraud initiative.

Trump, before embarking on a multi-day trip to China, told reporters on May 12, "Not even a little bit" when asked to what extent he's motivated by Americans' financial situation amid rising gas prices to reach a deal that ends the war in Iran. "I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing. We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all," the president said.

Playing clean-up on remarks that Democrats quickly seized on, Vance said he agrees with Trump that Iran shouldn't have a nuclear weapon and called preventing the spread of nuclear weapons "probably the most important thing" the administration can do to keep Americans safe.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/13/vance-trump-economy-gas-prices-inflation-iran-war/90065677007/