Trump: Americans' finances not on my mind, Iran nuclear threat is priority

President Donald Trump has sparked widespread controversy by stating that the financial well-being of American citizens is not a factor in his calculations during negotiations with Iran, insisting that his only objective is to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The remarks came on Tuesday in response to a reporter's question as he departed for Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"I'm not thinking about the financial situation of Americans… I'm not thinking about anyone. I'm thinking about one thing only: Iran cannot get a nuclear weapon… that's all there is to it," Trump said, according to a report from CBS News. When asked to clarify, he added: "What's far more important, including whether the stock market goes up or down a little… far more important is that Iran does not get a nuclear weapon."

The president's comments come as Americans face mounting economic pressures from the ongoing partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, rising fuel prices, and inflation. A CBS News/YouGov poll last month found that 51% of Americans said rising gas prices cause them financial hardship or difficulty. Inflation hit 3.8% annually in April, the highest rate in recent years, while the national average gas price currently stands at $4.50 per gallon, with warnings it could reach $5 by June if the strait is not reopened.

Trump defended his stance, arguing that the long-term consequences of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon would be far worse for Americans. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that a nuclear-armed Iran could fully control oil prices and close the strait without U.S. recourse. "If Iran had a nuclear weapon, it could raise the price of a gallon to $8 or $9… and we wouldn't be able to do anything about it," Rubio said in a previous briefing.

The president's remarks are expected to fuel anger among Democrats, who view them as dismissive of ordinary citizens' struggles, while his supporters defend the priority of national security and the Iranian nuclear threat over short-term economic concerns.