U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) slammed President Donald Trump over the latest inflation numbers Wednesday, accusing him of making Americans pay for his handling of the war with Iran.
“September’s inflation report confirms what we already know, that President Trump’s bungled war with Iran is behind the outrageous increase in the cost of living over the past few months,” Durbin wrote on X.
“Americans need an end to these price hikes,” he said, “not endless wars in the Middle East.”
September’s inflation report confirms what we already know, that President Trump’s bungled war with Iran is behind the outrageous increase in the cost of living over the past few months.
Americans need an end to these price hikes, not endless wars in the Middle East.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) October 14, 2026
Durbin’s attack followed a Bureau of Labor Statistics report showing that inflation climbed to 3.7 percent in September, up from 3.4 percent in August. Gasoline prices jumped 9.1 percent in a single month and 34.2 percent over the past year.
Gasoline alone accounted for more than half of September’s monthly increase in consumer prices. Fuel oil rose 15.3 percent during the month, bringing its annual increase to 74.2 percent.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who has repeatedly criticized Trump’s handling of the economy, used the same report to deliver a message to voters ahead of the November midterms.
“Until we stop Trump’s insanity, everything will keep getting more expensive. Vote,” Pritzker wrote.
Until we stop Trump’s insanity, everything will keep getting more expensive. Vote.
— JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) October 14, 2026
Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) also blamed the administration, writing: “Trump and Republicans have no answer for rising inflation caused by soaring gas prices and the war in Iran.”
Trump and Republicans have no answer for rising inflation caused by soaring gas prices and the war in Iran. They’re more focused on enriching Trump and his friends and family.
This is why we’re fighting to take back Congress so we can end the war and bring prices down for you and your family.
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) October 14, 2026
Acknowledging the typical Federal Reserve response to rising inflation, Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, urged the Fed to hold off on raising interest rates. Hassett suggested that seasonal adjustments may have made the inflation report look worse than it really is.
Hassett also offered a different view on the impact of the Iran War and the Iranian attacks on American partners, saying that even with the recent attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure the price pressures were already easing, according to MarketWatch.
The White House adviser emphasized aspects of the inflation report that might temper interest rate changes, noting food prices were unchanged in September and prescription drug prices fell.
Trump has acknowledged rising fuel prices, with soaring diesel costs driving him to exempt Russian exports from sanctions to increase global supply. The president said in September that the price increases are a “very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done.”
