CNN Host slammed the Biden administration’s Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Cecilia Rouse and called her out for lying during a live interview on Monday.
The heated discussion occurred while the two talked about the rising inflation that has been strangling the U.S economy, squeezing Americans’ pockets.
During the discussion, CNN host Jim Sciutto pointed out the “latest consumer price index numbers show inflation rising at the fastest pace in more than four decades in this country to 8.6% for the 12 months ending in May.”
Sciutto also added that “experts say the spike and the cost of gas in particular, but also food and housing is driving inflation higher.”
Amid the conversation, the CNN host then asked Rouse about the White House insights and decisions regarding the numbers describing the current inflation that Americans are facing right now.
“You’ve seen those numbers. I know you’re well aware of them. I wonder if the White House will see any relief in these numbers for Americans in the near future? And if so, when?” Sciutto asked.
After that, Rouse responded and said and claimed that Biden is “very much understands, and we very much understand, that we’ve got uncomfortably high inflation.”
“What we saw in the data this month was that month-on-month prices increased overall, the headline CPI increased about 1% and about half of that was due to food and energy, which can be almost directly tied to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. And so it’s —” She added.
However, before Rouse could continue, the CNN reporter interrupted and objected to her statement.
“Not just that. You know, it’s, it’s not that prices are rising. I get it. I get the world oil markets are up. But, as you know, prices are rising for everything–used cars, rent” Scuitto said.
“Absolutely. And so… and the president understands that. And so he has, like, he has emphasized he’s focused on this, you know, as part of his plan.” Rouse conceded with the smile melting from her face.
She also defended Biden and insinuated that Biden can’t do anything to interfere with the Fed’s plan.
“I know this doesn’t sound like a plan, but first and foremost, he respects the independence of the Federal Reserve. Prior presidents have tried to interfere with the actions of the Federal Reserve Board, as they tried to address inflation for political reasons.” Rouse said.
The heated discussion came out as President Biden continued to put the blame on his Russian counterpart for soaring inflation, throwing several “Putin Price Hike” claims.
However, many American experts debunked Biden’s claims and argued that “inflation and gas prices were already bad, and it’s a difficult task to pin their rise on a war that isn’t front-and-center for most Americans,” the Post’s Aaron Blake said in late March.
“Evidence now suggests the narrative is coming up well short. Domestic pricing concerns are far outpacing Ukraine on Americans’ list of priorities, and Biden’s poll numbers on his handling of the economy continue to hit new lows. Whatever stomach Americans had for higher prices to support the war in Ukraine, it doesn’t appear particularly strong.” He added.
