President Donald Trump sparked immediate controversy Wednesday after declaring that he “loves the inflation” while defending the economic fallout tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump was questioned about rising inflation, which recently climbed to its highest level in three years amid soaring energy prices and growing concerns over the economic impact of the war.

Rather than distancing himself from the inflation surge, Trump appeared to embrace it.

“No, I love it — the numbers were great,” Trump told reporters. “You know what I really love? I love the inflation.”

The remark instantly drew attention as economists, investors, and political opponents have spent months warning about rising costs facing American families.

Trump went on to argue that temporary economic pain was justified because of what he described as successful military operations against Iran.

According to the president, the administration had secretly disrupted major oil-related targets, actions he claimed contributed to higher oil prices while simultaneously weakening Iran’s capabilities.

The comments became even more striking when Trump described conversations with top members of his administration before military operations began.

Gathering senior officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump said he openly acknowledged that military action could damage the economy.

At the time, he claimed, the United States was experiencing record-breaking economic performance.

“We had just hit the highest stock market in history, highest 401(k)s in history. Everything was going well,” Trump recalled.

But according to the president, concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions outweighed the risks.

“I said, the one thing we have to do now … Iran’s going to have a nuclear weapon very soon. We have to go and attack,” Trump stated.

He described the decision as difficult because of the potential economic consequences.

Trump said experts warned him that the stock market could plunge dramatically following military action. Some forecasts, he claimed, predicted losses of as much as 25 percent.

Despite those warnings, he insisted he moved forward anyway.

“The bad part is the stock market will go down a little bit — a lot, based on predictions,” Trump said. “And it was worth it to me. It was worth it not to have a nuclear weapon.”

The president’s comments immediately triggered reactions across social media and political circles.

Critics seized on his statement as an extraordinary acknowledgment that economic hardship was an accepted consequence of his foreign policy decisions. Others argued that Trump was attempting to frame inflation and market instability as strategic sacrifices rather than economic setbacks.

Supporters, meanwhile, defended the president’s position, arguing that national security concerns should take precedence over short-term economic fluctuations.

The remarks arrive at a politically sensitive moment.

Americans have increasingly voiced concerns about rising gas prices, higher grocery bills, and broader inflation pressures. Polls have consistently shown economic issues ranking among voters’ top priorities ahead of upcoming elections.

Trump, however, appeared unmoved by those concerns during Wednesday’s exchange.

Instead, he doubled down on the idea that economic costs are acceptable if they help prevent what he views as a larger national security threat.

Whether voters agree remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain: Trump’s declaration that he “loves the inflation” is likely to become one of the most debated political soundbites of the week, fueling another fierce round of arguments about the balance between national security, economic stability, and presidential leadership.