Audio Glitch Interrupts Hassett’s Inflation Interview
On November 10, Kevin Hassett, who leads the White House’s National Economic Council, discussed October inflation figures during a Fox Business interview with host Stuart Varney. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% that month, above economists’ 0.3% expectation, and Varney noted that markets considered a Federal Reserve rate increase in December highly likely.
Hassett called the figures disappointing and attributed the increase to energy costs. He said energy prices were up 20% year over year and gasoline prices had risen 37%. He also said core inflation had slowed to an annual pace of about 1.5% over a three-month period in the summer before picking up over the following three months. Hassett pointed to lower drug prices as one factor that had helped keep inflation from moving in the wrong direction earlier in the year.
As Varney began to move to another subject, Hassett said, “I think we just switched.” A voice was then audible briefly before the sound cut out and the two men fell silent. Varney said there might be an audio problem and continued the program with a clip of President Donald Trump.
Hassett was absent when Varney first tried to return to him, but rejoined the show about a minute later. He raised both hands and said he had not touched anything. Varney suggested a leaf blower behind Hassett might have caused the issue, then said it had not. Hassett appeared to be standing outside.
Hassett Blames Energy Costs as Inflation Runs Hotter
October inflation came in above expectations, and White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett’s explanation focused on energy costs. On November 10, the Consumer Price Index’s 0.4% monthly increase was discussed on Fox Business, where host Stuart Varney said markets viewed a December Federal Reserve rate increase as highly likely.
Hassett called the figures disappointing and said energy prices had climbed 20% over the year, with gasoline up 37%. He pointed to cheaper drugs and an earlier slowdown in core inflation, but also acknowledged that prices had accelerated over the latest three months. The explanation places the emphasis on energy rather than the administration’s broader responsibility for the cost pressures households face.
The interview was interrupted as Varney tried to change subjects. Hassett said, “I think we just switched,” before an unidentified voice came through briefly and the audio cut out. Varney cited a possible sound problem and continued with a clip of President Donald Trump.
Hassett returned about a minute later, saying he had not touched anything. Varney floated a leaf blower behind Hassett as a possible cause, then ruled it out. Hassett appeared to be outside. The exchange left the inflation figures and the administration’s energy-price explanation at the center of the interview, even as the technical interruption briefly derailed it.
Hassett Points to Surging Energy Costs in Inflation Report
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett pointed to surging energy costs as October inflation came in hotter than economists expected. The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4%, compared with a 0.3% forecast, and Fox Business host Stuart Varney said markets considered a Federal Reserve rate increase in December highly likely.
Hassett called the figures disappointing, but said energy prices had risen 20% year over year and gasoline prices 37%. He also described a period when core inflation had slowed to an annual rate of about 1.5% over three months in the summer, and cited lower drug prices as good news that had helped keep inflation from worsening earlier in the year. His comments stressed the burden of energy costs rather than treating the report as a full account of the administration’s economic record.
A technical disruption interrupted the exchange as Varney began changing topics. Hassett said, “I think we just switched,” then an unidentified voice was briefly heard before the sound cut out. Varney said there might be an audio problem and moved to a clip of President Donald Trump.
Hassett was missing when Varney initially returned to the interview, but came back about a minute later. He said he had not touched anything. Varney mentioned a leaf blower behind Hassett as a possible source of the problem, then dismissed that explanation. Hassett appeared to be standing outside.
Reported by Raw Story, The Daily Beast.
