Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren challenged President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the White House Council of Economic Advisers during a confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., questioning him about inflation and wage growth.
Warren asked economist Christopher Phelan to confirm that inflation stood at 4.2 percent while annual wage growth was 3.4 percent. “Is 4.2 higher than 3.4?” she asked after Phelan declined to answer directly.
Phelan responded, “I will repeat what I said, which is real wage growth in this administration is positive.” Warren replied, “Right now families are falling behind and you can’t even do the basic facts.”
She added, “These are facts that come out of the Trump administration. They’re there for anybody to see. And you can’t bring yourself, as the person who says, ‘I want to be the head of the Council of Economic Advisers,’ to give objective economic advice.”
Warren concluded, “I think this person has disqualified himself,” after arguing Phelan would not acknowledge that inflation was running higher than wage growth.
Trump Economic Nominee’s Hearing Performance Sparks Divided Reactions
The exchange quickly fueled debate online, with many focusing on Phelan’s response while others criticized Warren’s handling of inflation.
One user wrote, “If you know you’re facing Elizabeth Warren, do your damn homework.” Another added, “I do not agree with Warren on much of anything, but must say she does seem to be exposing some real issues with Phelan’s capacity to do the job & not just be a political lackey for the President.” A third said, “Why is he not prepared for the question? How could he, in his wildest dreams, have imagine it would not be asked?” Another wrote, “Phelan wasn’t smart enough to know Madam Senator Elizabeth Warren knows her stuff.”
Others pushed back. One response stated, “Congress is directly responsible for inflation, yet Warren is doing her typical performative [expletive].” Another wrote, “Where was this shit from her under 4 years of Bidenomics? We lived it and it sucked! Americans are still suffering from it!”
The nominee’s confirmation process now continues as senators consider his testimony and qualifications following the hearing.
