President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the economic pain caused by the Iran war would not influence any decision to end it. The remark came as the White House marked its departure for a diplomatic visit to China. Trump, a billionaire with a 20‑acre Mar‑a‑Lago estate, has touted his business acumen as a remedy for Americans.

Inflation accelerated to its fastest pace in three years last month, while gasoline prices topped $4.50 a gallon. A CNN poll showed 77 % of Americans, including most Republicans, blamed Trump’s policies for rising costs. Grocery prices surged faster in April than any month in nearly four years, adding pressure on households for everyday daily families.

Democrats seized the comment to attack Trump in midterm ads, arguing he ignores ordinary citizens’ financial strain. GOP allies struggled to defend him; VP J.D. Vance called the statement a misrepresentation, while Trump on Fox News insisted the pain was "much less" than feared. The incident could sway voters across the country nationally in close districts.

While in Beijing, Trump highlighted a lavish banquet and a grand welcome, tweeting that China needed a ballroom like the U.S. His trip also raised eyebrows as his son Eric accompanied him, blurring lines between public duty and private enterprise. The billionaire’s continued profiting from the presidency adds scrutiny to his business deals worldwide daily.