Texas Rep. Crockett says Trump “couldn’t care less” about Americans struggling with groceries and gas as Iran war costs spiral out of control

Texas – Texas Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett sharply escalated her attacks on President Donald Trump after the president openly admitted that Americans’ financial struggles are not affecting how he approaches the growing conflict with Iran — comments that immediately triggered backlash online as inflation, grocery costs, and gas prices continue climbing nationwide.

Crockett, one of the administration’s loudest critics in Congress, responded directly on X after Trump made the remarks during a White House South Lawn exchange with reporters before departing for Beijing for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The exchange quickly exploded across social media because Trump bluntly dismissed the idea that rising costs for American families play any role in his thinking about the war.

When asked whether the economic pain tied to the Iran conflict was pushing him toward a negotiated resolution, Trump answered, “Not even a little bit.”

He then doubled down further. “The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran — they can’t have a nuclear weapon. 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,” Trump said.

The comments immediately became political fuel for Democrats already hammering the administration over the growing economic fallout tied to the war.

Crockett responded with a blistering public statement that rapidly spread online. “It quite literally couldn’t be clearer that this man does not care about you. ‘Not even a little bit’ — his words, not mine. Working families are struggling to pay for groceries, keep the lights on, and fill up their gas tanks…and he couldn’t care less. You deserve better.”

It quite literally couldn’t be clearer that this man does not care about you. “Not even a little bit” — his words, not mine.

Working families are struggling to pay for groceries, keep the lights on, and fill up their gas tanks…and he couldn’t care less.

You deserve better. https://t.co/8SP49SHigt

— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) May 13, 2026

Economic Pressure Builds Across the Country

Crockett’s criticism landed at a moment when economic anxiety is dominating political conversations across the United States.

Since the start of the Iran conflict involving U.S. and Israeli military action, gas prices have reportedly surged roughly 50 percent nationwide. According to AAA, the national average now sits above $4.50 per gallon.

Several states are seeing even worse conditions. Prices are reportedly approaching or exceeding $5 per gallon in Alaska, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. California drivers are now paying more than $6 per gallon on average.

At the grocery store, inflation pressures are growing as well. New economic data released this week showed consumer prices rising at an annual rate of 3.8 percent in April, marking the highest inflation reading since May 2023. Energy costs accounted for a major share of that increase as the war disrupted oil markets and global shipping routes.

The economic damage extends beyond consumers. The Pentagon now estimates the Iran war has already cost $29 billion, a number that climbed rapidly from the $25 billion estimate provided to Congress only weeks earlier.

Linda Bilmes, a Harvard Kennedy School public policy expert, warned the final cost could eventually reach at least $1 trillion. She also cautioned that major wars almost always become far more expensive than early government projections suggest.

Political pressure is now growing around those costs. Polling numbers tied to the economy and the conflict have become increasingly troubling for the administration. Trump’s approval rating on economic issues has reportedly fallen to a career low of 30 percent, while only 26 percent of Americans approve of how he is handling inflation. Surveys also suggest roughly 75 percent of Americans believe the Iran war has negatively impacted their finances.

Crockett Intensifies Attacks on Trump and Republicans

Crockett has maintained an aggressive stance against the war since the earliest strikes were launched.

Following the initial attacks on Iran, she accused Trump of bypassing Congress and abandoning his own promises about avoiding foreign conflicts. “The self-proclaimed ‘President of peace’ is once again starting illegal wars without Congressional authorization. This is not what the American people asked for. Time and time again, Trump has proven that he is not interested in — or capable of — putting ‘America First.’ Our soldiers will have to put their lives on the line to defend his reckless decisions,” Crockett said previously.

The Texas congresswoman also targeted Republicans in Congress, accusing them of refusing to challenge the administration as the conflict expands. “Republicans in Congress once again refused to find their backbone and stand up to Donald Trump — giving him the green light to drag this country deeper into another dangerous, endless war in the Middle East. Donald Trump went around Congress to start a war with Iran — a war that has already resulted in the deaths of six American soldiers.”

Despite the criticism, the White House has defended the president’s position. Spokesman Kush Desai argued that the economic disruptions tied to the military operation were expected and temporary. “President Trump has always been clear about temporary disruptions as a result of Operation Epic Fury,” Desai stated, referring to the U.S.-Israeli military campaign. Trump himself has continued insisting that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon outweighs short-term economic suffering and has predicted that fuel prices will eventually fall once the conflict stabilizes.

Still, with inflation climbing, wages no longer keeping pace with prices, and voters increasingly frustrated by rising costs, Crockett’s attacks appear aimed directly at a political vulnerability that could become even more dangerous for Republicans as the midterm elections approach. Her closing message remained simple but pointed: “You deserve better.”