Trump administration reacts to economic data

It's the latest sign of a slowing economy, 23,000 jobs lost last month, the opposite of what experts had predicted. The latest wage data was also disappointing, showing pay hikes aren't keeping up with inflation. It's gone completely off the cliff, and nobody's doing anything about that. The average person can't afford to go to the grocery store anymore. I definitely think the fuel is the biggest impact, but I also do think it's temporary.

War-induced high gas prices are averaging just over $4 a gallon nationwide. Inflation has crept up since Trump took office, despite what he said last week. We have very low inflation. We brought inflation way down.

His top economic advisor, Kevin Hassett, did acknowledge some of the problems on Sunday. Grocery prices are still high, and we've still got a lot of work to do.

But he insisted the employment rate is on the rise in some key sectors. The thing that really jumps out at us is that those are really good jobs. They're manufacturing jobs. They're construction jobs.

The most recent CBS News poll found voters remain skeptical. 55% said the Republican Party's policies are hurting their cost of living, a concern that is now being echoed by Democratic candidates like Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed. He's hoping a focus on affordability will help him win a seat in the US Senate. Donald Trump has been an existential threat to our democracy. He is costing us jobs. He is costing us more at almost every aspect of our lives, whether it's our gas, our groceries, or our health care. In an interview late last week, President Trump said GOP voters might be angry at Republicans in Congress, but they are not mad at him. Whether or not that's true, the distinction may not matter very much, Errol, because history shows that voters tend to hold the party in power in Congress and in the White House responsible when the economy gets worse. Very true. All right, Nancy Cordes at the White House. Thank you.