Inflation - that pesky little phenomenon that’s been haunting grocers and dinner tables alike. Just two months after reclaiming the White House, former President Donald Trump made headlines by declaring that inflation isn’t his “No. 1 issue.” In a recent TV interview, he mused about winning the election based on voters’ rage over soaring prices. Apparently, when it comes to topping the list of American worries, inflation is on par with houseplants - important but not worthy of your full attention.

Trump’s grand plan? Well, in his first week back in the White House, he whipped out the executive order wand with all the charm of an underwhelming magician at a child’s birthday party. Sure, he pointed federal agencies to start “pursuing appropriate actions,” but one can only wonder if those actions involved chasing butterflies.

Instead, the orange-hued political legend has decided to focus primarily on immigration, claiming it as his primary concern. Because, you know, why tackle the economy when you can talk about anything that distracts from your track record? “Inflation was the No. 1 issue,” Trump pronounced. “I said, ‘I disagree.’” Wise words from the man who once claimed that water could be turned into wine if you just believed hard enough.

While President Trump is getting cozy with the idea of lowering energy costs, his strategy seems to revolve around encouraging oil companies to pump out more oil—perhaps sacrificing their profits in a spectacular display of goodwill? It’s as if he’s auctioning off the hope of lower gas prices while looking out for the interests of those with stocks in fossil fuels instead of the average Joe.

During his riveting rally in Las Vegas, Trump took a moment to torch his Democratic predecessor, brushing off sky-high inflation like it was yesterday’s news. “When I think of Biden, I think of incompetence and inflation,” he grilled to the roaring cheers of the crowd. Because apparently, inflation is solely Joe’s fault and not a global issue exacerbated by a pandemic and supply chain breakdowns. Who needs context when you’ve got charisma?

Economists are clearly rolling their eyes hard enough to see their brains. With an ironic twist, they caution that Trump’s plans could rekindle inflation rather than quell it, like trying to douse a fire with gasoline. It’s a strange world when “more regulation” sounds better than “deal with oil prices.” Remind me again why we keep electing people who failed public school economics?

In this game of political whack-a-mole, the priority ever-so-steadily shifts, leaving rising consumer costs to be addressed later, squeezing the everyday American tighter and tighter. So to our dear leaders: maybe prioritize what actually affects working-class Americans instead of serving the whims of Wall Street? Just a thought.