Trump's Polling Blitz Amid Gas Price Surge and Voting Rights Chaos
Welcome to the chaos of "Face the Nation," where Margaret Brennan dives headfirst into the political maelstrom.
Gas prices are on fire, skyrocketing 40 cents a gallon in just a week, thanks to the ongoing standoff with Iran. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's latest ruling has thrown a wrench into the Voting Rights Act, igniting a frenzy in Southern states scrambling to redraw district lines before the midterms.
With approval ratings slipping faster than a greased pig, President Trump made a pit stop at a Florida retirement community to conduct his own poll.
(Begin VT)
DONALD TRUMP (President of the United States): Let’s do another poll. No tax on tips!
(CHEERING)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: No tax on overtime!
(CHEERING)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: No tax on Social Security!
(CHEERING)
(End VT)
But while Trump promises relief, the reality is grim. The conflict in Iran has stalled, and gas prices are hitting consumers hard. Trump insists they’ll drop soon, but he’s also trying to spin the narrative.
(Begin VT)
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: The stock market is rocking and rolling! Your 401(k)s are at an all-time high!
(End VT)
We’ll dissect the economic fallout with Kevin Hassett from the White House Economic Council, Neel Kashkari from the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, and Chevron’s CEO Mike Wirth.
In a bold move, Trump declared the war with Iran over. We’ll hear from Colorado Democrat Jason Crow about what that means for U.S. troops and foreign policy. Plus, we’ll analyze the Supreme Court’s decision to limit the Voting Rights Act with Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock.
Good morning, and welcome back to Face the Nation.
This week has been a whirlwind, with Congress finally ending a 76-day partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. TSA agents and Coast Guard personnel can breathe easy again, but ICE and CBP remain unfunded.
The war with Iran continues to wreak havoc on the global economy, contributing to Spirit Airlines’ sudden shutdown, leaving thousands stranded and over 14,000 employees jobless.
We kick things off with Kevin Hassett from Los Angeles.
KEVIN HASSETT (Director, National Economic Council): Good morning!
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, President Trump sent a letter to Congress stating that hostilities with Iran have ceased but warned that threats remain. What’s the market’s reaction?
KEVIN HASSETT: The blockade is working; it’s putting immense pressure on Iran. Their economy is on the brink of disaster—hyperinflation and hunger are rampant.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, are we at war with Iran?
KEVIN HASSETT: Iran shut down the straits. They were only allowing their ships through. President Trump found that unacceptable.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So we’re still at war?
KEVIN HASSETT: It’s complicated. We’re negotiating under pressure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And gas prices are now averaging $4.45 a gallon. Can we end this without regaining control of the Strait of Hormuz?
KEVIN HASSETT: We’re working on increasing energy production globally.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Bank of America reports that rising gas prices have cost consumers $19 billion. Do you agree?
KEVIN HASSETT: That analysis is flawed. Millions are benefiting from tax exemptions that offset these costs.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Spirit Airlines has ceased operations. What happened?
KEVIN HASSETT: We were aware of their financial troubles and tried to craft a rescue plan, but it fell through.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are other industries at risk due to this energy shock?
KEVIN HASSETT: Spirit had longstanding issues; other airlines are managing better due to hedging fuel costs.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Neel Kashkari from the Federal Reserve joins us next.
NEEL KASHKARI (President, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis): Good morning!
MARGARET BRENNAN: The Fed kept interest rates unchanged this week. Are rate cuts off the table?
NEEL KASHKARI: There’s too much uncertainty from the Middle East situation to signal any cuts right now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: How will inflation be affected by this conflict?
NEEL KASHKARI: The energy price shock is significant; it could take months for supply chains to stabilize.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Chevron’s CEO Mike Wirth will join us shortly to discuss energy prices further.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Now we turn to Congressman Jason Crow from Arizona.
REPRESENTATIVE JASON CROW (D-Colorado): Good morning!
MARGARET BRENNAN: There’s controversy over troop withdrawals from Germany. What’s your take?
REPRESENTATIVE JASON CROW: This decision lacks coordination with Congress and undermines our military presence in Europe.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Can we end the conflict without clearing the Strait of Hormuz?
REPRESENTATIVE JASON CROW: We need to rethink our strategy in the Middle East instead of just focusing on tactics.
MARGARET BRENNAN: The Supreme Court recently limited the Voting Rights Act. What does this mean for democracy?
SENATOR RAPHAEL WARNOCK (D-Georgia): This ruling is a devastating blow to our democracy and particularly impacts people of color in the South.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So you believe Congress needs to reinstate preclearance for Southern states?
SENATOR RAPHAEL WARNOCK: Absolutely! We need to protect voting rights vigorously.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you for joining us today. We’ll be back next week with more updates from Face the Nation.
