On NBC’s
Meet the Press, host Kristen Welker pressed Bessent on September's 3.7%
consumer price rise the fastest in five months fueled by sharp gas increases
tied to the Iran conflict. Bessent highlighted falling core inflation for four
months, food prices below Fed targets, record prescription drug drops, and
declining rents, while noting 1.5% real wage gains and a million private-sector
jobs added this year.
The exchange underscored debates over accountability as midterms approach in 16 days, with critics calling responses evasive and supporters praising focus on progress beyond energy shocks.