Kamala Harris' former advisor left flustered after being asked simple question about economy
During a Friday appearance on Fox News ' America Reports, anchor Sandra Smith pressed Mike Nellis, once a Senior Advisor to former Vice President Harris, on the latest economic data, asking, 'Do you know what the inflation rate is?'
'Yeah, it's like about three or four percent,' Nellis responded.
But Smith quickly fired back, correcting him.
'No. It's below three. And it's been a long time since it's gotten there. I mean, you're looking at 2.5 percent inflation now.'
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7 percent year-over-year in June.
While slightly above Smith's figure, the inflation rate has remained below 3 percent for several consecutive months, reflecting a significant cooldown from its 9.1 percent peak in June 2022 - the highest in four decades, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Despite the data, Nellis insisted that inflation continues to rise.
'Inflation is still going up,' he said. 'And it's rising, according to the latest stats.'
'That's not the case,' Smith countered. 'Inflation has come down. Inflation by nature is growth in prices, but the growth has slowed.'
Earlier in the segment, Nellis blamed Republicans and President Donald Trump for ongoing economic concerns.
'Right now the president of the United States is Donald Trump. Republicans are in control of Congress,' Nellis said. 'They're currently in recess rather than doing anything about inflation.'
He went on to claim that beef and alcohol prices hit record highs over the July 4 weekend and criticized Trump's promises to reduce prices immediately after taking office.
'Donald Trump promised to make grocery prices go down on day one,' Nellis said. 'We're six months in and everything's more expensive.'
Smith pushed back, noting that 'prices have definitely come down,' but that 'they can go down more.'
Meanwhile, some economic indicators suggest relief for American consumers, according to AAA, average gas prices hit a four-year low in June.
The tense exchange came just days after the Democratic Party had its own messaging blunder when its official X account posted a graphic blaming inflation from 2021 to 2024 on 'Trump's America' - even though Joe Biden and Harris were in charge the whole time.
The post later deleted.
The White House later shared the same graphic again, this time fixing the mistake and crediting the Biden administration.
That slip-up highlights the tough spot Democrats are in as they face growing criticism over the party's handling of the economy.
A new Wall Street Journal poll this week showed that 63 percent of voters view the Democratic Party unfavorably - the worst rating they've seen in 35 years.
Just 33 percent said they view the party favorably, and only 8 percent said they had a 'very favorable' view, according to the poll.
In contrast, Republicans, while also viewed more unfavorably than favorably, had stronger numbers - sitting at just 19 percent.
President Trump's job approval stands at 46 percent, higher than the 40 percent approval rating he received at the same point in his first term, according to the WSJ.
When asked which party they trusted more on major issues such as inflation, tariffs, and immigration, voters consistently favored Republicans.
'The Democratic brand is so bad that they don't have the credibility to be a critic of Trump or the Republican Party,' Democratic pollster John Anzalone, who conducted the WSJ poll with Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio, said.
'Until they reconnect with real voters and working people on who they're for and what their economic message is, they're going to have problems.'
Republicans currently hold a financial edge as well, with campaign filings showing the Republican National Committee has over $80 million on hand, compared to $15 million held by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the WSJ reported.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
New study reveals crippling impact of California's minimum wage hike
California 's dramatic fast food wage hike may have backfired, according to a new economic study – wiping out an estimated 18,000 jobs across the state in just one year. The research, published this month by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), analyzed the impact of Assembly Bill 1228, which mandated a $20 hourly minimum wage for fast food workers at large chains starting April 1, 2024. According to the economists behind the study, fast food employment in California dropped by 3.2 percent, while jobs in the same sector grew slightly across the rest of the U.S. 'Our median estimate translates into a loss of 18,000 jobs in California's fast–food sector relative to the counterfactual,' wrote researchers Jeffrey Clemens, Olivia Edwards, and Jonathan Meer. Before the law took effect, California's fast food industry was tracking the same employment trend as the rest of the country, the study found. But after AB 1228 was passed, the sector began to shrink. 'Following AB 1228's enactment, employment in the fast food sector in California fell substantially,' the paper states, citing declines 'even as employment in other sectors of the California economy tracked national trends'. Critics say the figures confirm what many feared: that a massive one–size–fits–all pay hike would push jobs out of reach for the workers it was meant to help. 'When it comes to central planning, history keeps the receipts: Wage controls never work,' wrote Heritage Foundation economist Rachel Greszler in a column reacting to the findings. 'That's because policymakers can set wage laws, but they can't outlaw the consequences.' She warned the law should serve as a wake–up call for other cities – especially Los Angeles, which recently voted to raise wages for hotel and airport workers to $30 an hour by 2028. 'The consequences of that wage hike on the fast–food industry should be a warning sign,' she said. The Wall Street Journal editorial board echoed that message, slamming politicians for 'magical thinking' around wage hikes. 'The Democratic Party's socialist nominee for New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has called for increasing the city's minimum wage to $30. Andrew Cuomo, his supposedly more moderate competitor, wants a $20 minimum,' the board wrote. 'These guys will never learn because they don't want to see the world as it really is.' But Governor Gavin Newsom's office has pushed back hard – questioning the integrity of the NBER paper and insisting California's wage law is working as intended. Tara Gallegos, Newsom's deputy director of communications, dismissed the study as politically motivated, telling Fox News Digital that it was 'linked to the Hoover Institution,' which she claimed had previously published 'false or misleading information' about the state's wage policies. She pointed to an October 2024 report in the San Francisco Chronicle, which said the early effects of AB 1228, 'defy a lot of the doom–and–gloom predictions' made when the bill was signed. Gallegos also cited a February 2025 study by a UC Berkeley professor, which looked at fast food employment trends through December and found 'no negative effects.' 'Workers covered by the policy saw wage increases of 8 to 9 percent, with no negative wage or employment effects on non–covered workers,' she said. 'No negative effects on fast–food employment.' She added: 'The number of fast–food establishments grew faster in California than in the rest of the U.S.' As for prices, the Berkeley study claimed menu costs rose by only 1.5 percent - about six cents on a $4 hamburger. The NBER paper also looked at whether the law had a knock-on effect in full-service restaurants, which weren't subject to the $20 mandate but compete for the same workers. The authors found smaller but still negative employment effects - a median drop of 2.12 percent. And while critics were quick to blame the law for economic pain, the researchers warned against cherry-picking isolated data.
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Chilling prediction about Florida's condo crisis - the 5 crucial factors for the next 3 months
Experts have issued a chilling warning about the future of Florida 's condo market as insiders warn that the next three months could bring even more instability. Florida's condo market is facing a full-blown crisis, Miami real estate insiders have told Daily Mail. In an exclusive interview, Joe Brikman, Team Leader at The Modern Day Team, and Luxury Development Specialist Rebecca Fischer explained the reality facing both buyers and sellers in what they describe as a 'cautiously optimistic' but quickly changing market. The top realtors are predicting major instability in the next three months as buyers are urged to avoid rushing into bad deals. 'The biggest piece of advice I'd give is: don't rush,' said Brikman. 'The deals are out there, but you need to do your homework.' 'Make sure you're working with an agent who understands what to look for especially when it comes to building financials, reserves, and upcoming assessments,' he said. 'It's not just about the unit, it's about the health of the entire building.' The duo outlined five crucial factors every potential Miami condo buyer must consider, starting with building reserves which are more critical than ever before, especially after the devastating 2021 collapse of condo building Champlain Towers South in Surfside. Looking ahead, the experts predict a continuously emerging market over the next six months with a major clash between old and new buildings. File picture of Collins Avenue, Caribbean South Beach Condominium These are the crucial factors Miami condo buyers should watch out for right now: 1. Building reserves Make sure the building has strong reserves in place. It's more crucial than ever under new state laws. 2. Assessments Ask if there are any current or upcoming special assessments. These can cost owners thousands and often come as a surprise after closing. 3. Inspection and recertification Confirm that the building has passed its required 40-year (or 30-year in some counties) safety inspection. 4. HOA fees Take a close look at monthly HOA fees and what they include. Many buildings have raised dues significantly to meet legal requirements. 5. Insurance costs Premiums across Florida are skyrocketing. Buyers should factor rising insurance rates into their long-term budgeting The 2021 collapse of a condo building in Surfside led to a new law that requires condo buildings to undergo structural inspections and shore up reserves Looking ahead, the experts predict a continuously emerging market over the next six months with a major clash between old and new buildings. He said savvy buyers, who have done their research, will come out on top. 'Over the next 3 months, I think we'll keep seeing price adjustments, especially in older buildings that haven't addressed reserve requirements,' Brikman said. 'In six months, the buyers who've done their research and bought smart will be sitting in a great position,' he predicted. 'I think newer buildings and those with clean financials will stay strong, while others may continue to struggle.' Still, the market disruption has created some jaw-dropping opportunities. The Modern Day Team currently has a $350,000 four-bedroom penthouse in North Miami Beach, a $750,000 two-bedroom penthouse in Brickell, and a two-bedroom waterfront apartment in Miami Beach hitting the market soon. There are still areas with opportunity for buyers. Edgewater, parts of Downtown, Brickell, and North Miami Beach are emerging as value hotspots, particularly for new construction buildings. 'On the Resale We're seeing sellers get more flexible some are offering to cover closing costs, buy down interest rates, or even cover a few months of HOA fees,' he revealed. 'Cash buyers especially have more room to negotiate.' When asked to sum up this year's market in two words, the response was telling: 'Cautiously optimistic'. 'Buyers are still active, but they're more careful and they should be,' Fischer noted. 'It's a different kind of market than it was a year ago.' The 2021 collapse of a condo building in Surfside led to a new law that requires condo buildings to undergo structural inspections and shore up reserves. This has meant that many HOAs have been hiking fees and doling out hefty special assessments to comply with the new rules, which has reduced demand for condos. The Surfside condo collapse saw 98 die in the tragedy. There are now new plans for a $15million-per-unit apartment block on the site dubbed The Delmore. The ultra-luxury high-rise is being constructed by Dubai-based developer Damac Properties after it purchased the land for $120million less than one year after the collapse on June 24, 2021.
Daily Mail
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
FBI chief warns he has uncovered things which 'shocked me down to my core' amid Epstein files scandal
Embattled FBI deputy director Dan Bongino shared a cryptic message to his social media in which he vowed to uncover 'the truth' amid mounting criticism of his handling of the Epstein files. In a post to X, Bongino said that in his short time in office he has discovered matters that has 'shocked me down to my core'. He added: 'We cannot run a Republic like this. I'll never be the same after learning what I've learned. 'We are going to conduct these righteous and proper investigations by the book and in accordance with the law. We are going to get the answers WE ALL DESERVE. 'As with any investigation, I cannot predict where it will land, but I can promise you an honest and dignified effort at truth. Not 'my truth,' or 'your truth,' but THE TRUTH.' Bongino alluded in his statement to recent discoveries surrounding government corruption and weaponization. He did not provide a timeline for when the general public might learn about what he is talking about, adding that 'things are happening'. Bongino and FBI Director Kash Patel have both been feeling the heat recently over their handling of the files relating to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Bongino, a longtime leading proponent of theories surrounding Epstein's so-called client list, threatened to quit earlier this month over the botched handling. He failed to show up on one Friday after a DOJ memo was released that said Epstein had died by suicide nd that no other people named in the files would be charged. It also said there was no 'Epstein client list'. By Monday morning, officials were starting to squirm and feared that Bongino would be a no-show yet again, but he arrived in the office a few hours later than expected. It was reported at the time that Trump was furious that one of his hand-picked appointees would be so publicly against him. A source inside the DOJ told Daily Mail that Bongino was ready to stand down if Attorney General Pam Bondi didn't. The fallout of that memo continues, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that Bondi told Trump in May that his name appeared in the Epstein files. Bondi also allegedly acknowledged that the administration should withhold the files due to them containing images of child sexual abuse. The president associated with Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell in the 1980s and 1990s. Maxwell was questioned this week by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. She is serving 20 years behind bars for his involvement in Epstein's crimes. The 63-year-old made it clear earlier this month that she was willing to speak in front of Congress about the case. Trump has not been implicated in any crimes and just because a name appears in the files does not mean imply they were involved in Epstein's child sex trafficking. Many believe Maxwell appears to be angling for a pardon from President Donald Trump after she 'didn't hold back' during questioning.
