“What a miracle,” mocked one social media user.
By Lee Moran
Stephen Miller, the Trump White House deputy chief of staff for policy, drew ire on Tuesday for plucking a number seemingly out of thin air.
Miller, the architect of President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration crackdown, was asked by Fox News’ Jesse Watters what he’s thankful for this Thanksgiving.
“You asked me what I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving,” Miller said, raising his voice. “I praise God every day that Donald Trump is our president and we’ve gone from 30% inflation, 20 million illegals, unlimited refugees, violent crime in our cities to security in our cities, no more illegals, no more refugees and finally a country that puts American citizens first.”
Critics quickly questioned Miller’s rhetoric, especially the 30% inflation claim.
Inflation under Trump’s predecessor, former President Joe Biden, did soar and is widely credited with being one of the key factors in Trump winning back the White House in the 2024 election against then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
But year-on-year inflation peaked at just under 10% in mid-2022 and cumulative inflation across Biden’s entire presidency was 21%, with neither close to Miller’s figure. Inflation did then dip before Trump’s return to the Oval Office, and the affordability crisis is also currently one of the biggest issues facing the current president.
Watters later asked Miller, who is married to MAGA podcaster Katie Miller and has three children, how he approaches the holiday in his own household.
“I would be incapable of helping,” he admitted. “If I attempted to help, it would be interpreted widely as an act of sabotage.”
Miller said it’s a great excuse for not doing anything.
“It’s kind of like, they say when men fold a sweater wrong, you never have to fold a sweater again,” he told Watters. “The safest play is to just watch TV and stay out of the way as best you can. My service is saying how delicious the gravy is, how great the turkey is, how wonderful the cranberry sauce is. That’s how I give back, with compliments.”
Critics were less than complimentary about his comments, though:
@
gulliverGadfly
Replying to @Acyn
30% inflation? Miller is a heinous liar
@
KONjoyan
Replying to @Acyn
Somehow their inflation numbers keep getting inflated.
@vahidfk
Replying to @Acyn
Since he makes up nonsense why not 200% inflation and 100 million illegal immigrants !
@
singinman1
Replying to @Acyn
I stopped reading and started laughing at 30% inflation
@alejandragold42
Replying to @Acyn
Why
Is
He
Always
Yelling???? 😣🙉
@
stevepfi2
Replying to @Acyn
The United States has never had an official annual CPI inflation rate of 30% or higher in the modern (1913–present) statistical record. The highest rate during President Joe Biden's term was the year-over-year CPI increase of 9.1% for the 12 months ending June 2022.
@
mikeexinger
Replying to @Acyn
Practically every word is false. That's tough to do, unless you're Stephen Miller (or Donnie Two Scoops).
@Scrubbypzhl
Every time they increase the numbers like this it’s to obfuscate their own
@
philippe_Tweets
It’s going to be hard to get this level of stink off our county once this administration ends in shame…
@
charlieSigs
30% inflation? 🤣 Miller must have taken the same mathematics course as Trump who believes he can lower costs by 600%. They live in a fantasy world and their supporters all follow them down the path paved with unicorn farts. It’s insane.