Van Jones Claims Sky-High Inflation Is Not ‘Reality’
As ordinary Americans continue struggling to afford basic necessities under the Biden administration’s economy, a number of prominent Democrats have engaged in an effort to convince voters that things are not actually as bad as they seem.
Van Jones, a CNN commentator who previously served as a top adviser to former President Barack Obama, attempted to paint a rosy picture of the U.S. economy during a segment of “AC360” on Thursday.
“I think that reality — actual reality and emotional reality — have not lined up for Biden on a number of issues,” he complained. “The economy, actually, on paper, is doing a lot better than people think.”
Jones went on to cite specious unemployment numbers and asserted that “gas prices are relatively low” despite the fact that California motorists were paying more than $5 per gallon on average as of Friday.
He claimed that recent stock market gains “should have people feeling good” about the economy before acknowledging as an afterthought that prices have remained painfully high — or “sticky,” as he put it — for necessities including food and housing.
“And so, there’s an emotional reality and an actual reality that have not lined up for Biden yet,” Jones concluded. “And it’s going to be job one for him to get those things lined up.”
As November’s general election draws near, the economy is one of the most important issues on the minds of most voters. It is also among the many pivotal issues on which polls consistently show presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump with an advantage over the incumbent.
According to a recent CBS News survey, about two-thirds of respondents said the economy under the Trump administration was good compared to just 38% who said the same about the Biden economy.
Jones’ remarks also came on the eve of the latest inflation data, which showed annual price increases well above the 2% level favored by the Federal Reserve. The report could stall the central bank’s plans to bring down decades-high interest rates.
As Fed Governor Christopher Waller opined on Wednesday, “progress in reducing inflation has slowed,” which has contributed to his assessment that there is “no rush in taking the step of beginning to ease monetary policy.”
