Overview
- In a Fox News interview Friday, Trump defended his earlier answer as “a perfect statement” and said he would repeat it.
- He first made the remark Tuesday at the White House, saying he does not weigh Americans’ finances in Iran talks because preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon is his only focus.
- He said any rise in gas prices should be short term and acceptable if it helps block Iran from getting a bomb.
- The national average price of gas has climbed about 50% since late February, according to AAA data, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
- The remarks drew Democratic criticism, and Republican pollster Frank Luntz called the wording clunky and meant to stress national security, while Trump says the election will not determine Iran policy.