Trump is banking on voters giving him a pass and continuing to blame former President Joe Biden for high prices. The Republican’s comments reflect the reality that presidents have almost no levers to reduce inflation quickly without causing collateral damage to other parts of the economy.

Two months ago, in his first network television interview after the election, Donald Trump said he owed his victory to Americans’ anger over immigration and inflation, specifically the rising cost of groceries.

Despite Trump’s flurry of executive orders, none touched on inflation or consumer costs. Two months ago, in his first network television interview after the election, Donald Trump said he owed his victory to Americans’ anger over immigration and inflation,