Consumers faced escalating prices in March as the Iran war sent oil soaring and created a new level of challenges for the Federal Reserve, according to a batch of reports Thursday that showed economic growth slower than expected and a generational low in layoffs.
The core personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes food and energy, accelerated a seasonally adjusted 0.3% for the month, pushing the 12-month inflation rate to 3.2%, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. The readings matched the Dow Jones consensus estimates. Core inflation hit its highest level since November 2023.
Including the volatile gas and groceries components saw higher readings, with the monthly gain at 0.7% and the annual rate hitting 3.5%, also in line with forecasts.
Thursday’s report did not stop a few Republican Congresscritters from hitting the cable news networks to pimp their delusional views on our tanking economy, rising prices, and trying to rewrite history.
Uncle Tim’s Delusional 💩:
LOL WHAT? EVERY SINGLE STATE IS HIGHER
— Patrick De Haan (@gasbuddyguy.bsky.social) April 30, 2026 at 7:11 AM
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Fact Check: False!-US gasoline prices hit highest level in 4 years
Sen. Tim Scott: "We have a very healthy economy because of President Trump. We have to look back at the Biden years. The great news is President Trump has pulled a miracle."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) April 30, 2026 at 5:24 AM
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Tim Scott: "Let me just say for the average person in the country — President Trump loves you. Thank God almighty that President Trump understands the pain and misery of employees, independent contractors, and small businesses too."
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) April 30, 2026 at 5:34 AM
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Steve Scalise’s Revisionist History:
The Republican strategy for 2026 appears to center around the full denial of math.
— TrumpsTaxes (@trumpstaxes.com) April 30, 2026 at 7:00 AM
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“Like Nobody has Seen Before!”
HASSETT: People vote their wallets. I don't really trust surveys VARNEY: But you gotta look at the numbers. I mean, you got an average of regular of $4.35 a gallon. That hits voters hard. How long will it take? H: As soon as we get the strait open, oil is gonna flow like you've never seen before
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) April 30, 2026 at 7:39 AM
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We got rid of the penny, idiot:
Maria Bartiromo's show is coping with sky high gas prices by urging viewers to think about how little their *grandkids* will pay 😭
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) April 30, 2026 at 6:34 AM
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