The interview with White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Dec. 14, 2025, provided insight into the current state of the economy and the administration’s efforts to address inflation and price increases.
Margaret Brennan opened the interview by welcoming Hassett back to the show and addressing the issue of holiday shopping and rising prices. She pointed out that while President Trump had stated that prices were coming down tremendously, the latest data from the Consumer Price Index showed a 3% year-over-year increase and the personal consumption index was up 2.8% year-over-year. Brennan questioned what data the president was looking at and what benchmarks he was using to assess the situation.
Hassett responded by referencing a presentation the president had given in Pennsylvania, where he highlighted the progress made in reducing prices on items like prescription drugs and gasoline. He explained that inflation can be influenced by both micro and macro factors, such as specific events like the avian flu affecting drug prices and broader economic trends like deficit spending and Federal Reserve policies. Hassett noted that the administration had made significant strides in reducing the deficit and trade deficit, which should help lower inflation and move closer to the Fed’s target of 2%.
Brennan brought up the issue of companies not necessarily passing on cost savings to consumers, citing comments from the president about uncertainty regarding when the positive impact of economic policies would be felt by voters. Hassett acknowledged that consumer sentiment was lower than desired, attributing it to factors like government shutdowns and the “vibecession” phenomenon observed in past administrations. Despite the disconnect between positive economic data and public perception, Hassett expressed optimism that the administration’s efforts would eventually benefit voters.
The interview touched on various aspects of the economy, including the impact of tariffs on prices, the role of deficit reduction in lowering inflation, and the timeline for voters to experience the benefits of economic policies. Hassett emphasized the importance of addressing both short-term challenges like inflation and long-term issues like deficit reduction to ensure sustained economic growth.
Overall, the interview with Kevin Hassett provided valuable insights into the administration’s economic strategy and its efforts to address inflation and price increases. By highlighting the progress made in reducing prices on essential goods and emphasizing the importance of fiscal responsibility, Hassett conveyed a message of optimism and confidence in the administration’s ability to navigate economic challenges.
