Sen. Tim Scott clashed with NBC's Kristen Welker on ‘Meet the Press’ after she pressed him on rising costs following the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks and the imposition of 50% tariffs on Canadian imports. When Welker cited Sen. Susan Collins' warning that the tariffs would raise costs for Maine families, Scott pivoted to blaming Biden-era inflation.
Welker repeatedly redirected him to current figures: inflation at 3% when Trump took office versus 3.4% now, households paying roughly $1,000 to nearly $2,000 more in 2026 due to tariffs, and gas prices up more than a dollar a gallon. Scott continued describing a 'resilient, strong economy' under Trump and pivoted to attacking Senate Democrats and 2026 midterm candidates.
The exchange grew heated as both talked over each other, with Welker repeatedly noting that 'the Biden administration is over' and that two years had passed under Trump. Scott closed by framing the midterms as a referendum voters would decide in Republicans' favor.
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