Kristen Welker Challenges Tim Scott on Trump Economy on Meet the Press

NBC host Kristen Welker confronted Sen. Tim Scott on NBC’s "Meet the Press" over competing claims about who is responsible for U.S. economic pressures, including inflation levels and the effect of Trump-era tariffs.

Scott argued that costs in the country over the past eight years trace back to Joe Biden, citing inflation rising 21% during Biden’s presidency and Scott’s view that the Trump administration has since reduced inflation to under 5% and around 4%.

Welker disputed Scott’s framing, saying Trump has been in office for two years and citing current inflation at 3.4%, while also arguing that households have paid about $1,000 more due to tariffs.

"Let’s look back at the original sin of cost in America in the last eight years," said Scott, Senator.

Scott continued by linking the issue to Biden’s inflation record while discussing tariffs and affordability on the program.

"It goes to Joe Biden, who took inflation up 21% while he was president," said Scott, Senator.

Welker responded immediately, emphasizing the time Trump has held office.

"Wait! President Trump has been in office for two years!" interjected Welker, NBC host.

Scott then pressed his argument about the inflation decline under Trump.

"Let me finish, let me finish!" Scott said, Senator.

He added that inflation has moved down from the 21% figure Scott attributed to Biden.

"President Trump has brought inflation from a sky-high 21% over the Biden years down to under 5% and right now hovering near 4%," Scott said, Senator.

Welker cut back in with figures she said describe inflation during and after Biden’s departure.

"Wait, inflation was at 3% when President Biden left office. It’s at 3.4% right now," Welker spoke over Scott, NBC host.

Welker also tied tariffs to what she said households have experienced.

"And the average household as paid $1,000 more in 2025 due to the tariffs, Senator," Welker spoke over Scott, NBC host.

Scott then argued that Welker and others should focus on what he described as the record on spending power during the Biden years.

"Let’s not forget. Let’s not forget the truth," Scott said, Senator.

Welker returned to the program’s broader facts about the state of prices and costs under Trump.

"But, hold on, Senator. These are the facts. When President Trump took office, inflation was at 3%.

It’s now at 3.4%. Gas prices are over $4 a gallon, up over $1 from a year ago. President Trump’s tariffs have cost American households nearly $2,000.

He promised he was going to bring prices down on day one. Did he break that promise? Prices have gone up!"

Welker said, NBC host.

As the exchange continued, Scott tried to reconcile areas of agreement while returning to Biden as the starting point.

"The good news is you don’t disagree with the fact that Joe Biden brought 21% extra cost on the American families. We —" Scott said, Senator.

Welker rejected Scott’s continued return to Biden, saying the question at hand is who governs the economy now.

"But we’re not talking about Joe Biden, though," Welker maintained, NBC host.

Welker then closed her response by reiterating the Trump administration timeline she said is central to the debate.

"The Biden administration is over! This is the —— we’re two years into the Trump administration!" Welker maintained, NBC host.