Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary claimed on Wednesday that people needed to back off President Joe Biden and “stop complaining” about high gas prices and inflation because “Americans are not suffering as much as they think they are.”
Singletary made an appearance on MSNBC to discuss inflation and gas prices ahead of Biden’s call for a three-month gas tax holiday — and his continued calls to gas companies to absorb the costs of increasing production in order to ease consumer costs at the pump.
WaPo’s Michelle Singletary: “There’s a great deal of Americans where it is uncomfortable that they’re spending more, but they are not going to go under. You know, you got to stop complaining … Overall, many Americans are not suffering as much as they think they are.” pic.twitter.com/epCwq6NeG2
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) June 22, 2022
“I’m just going to say this and if I get dinged for it I don’t care,” Singletary began. “There is a great deal of Americans where it is uncomfortable that they’re spending more, but they are not gonna go under. You’ve got to stop complaining when there’s so many people who literally the inflation rate means they may only have two meals instead of three.”
“There are Americans who did extremely well in the last two years in the market. You still have your job. And yeah, it’s costing you more for gas, but guess what? You’re still going to take that holiday, that Fourth of July vacation, you can still eat out, so I’m gonna need you to calm down and back off.”
She went on to argue that people complaining about their portfolios should stop complaining and use their extra money to help the people who really were in dire straits.
“Overall, many Americans are not suffering as much as they think they are,” she said, claiming that unrealistic fears would “think” a recession into existence.
But critics weren’t buying what Singletary was selling — and a number argued sarcastically that Democrats should definitely run on comments like that, which many viewed as tone deaf.
“Remember when WaPo wasn’t filled with deliberately blind activist clowns?” Rita Panahi asked.
“Faith in Americans dies in darkness,” Tim Graham added.
“This is just insane rambling by an elitist journalist that is so out of touch with everyday Americans. Just eat 2 meals a day instead of 3! Don’t eat out ever or go on vacation. Also give money to other people and the government should give money to other people, not you. Wow,” @Shem_infinite tweeted.
“These people are delusional,” @TexasAustyn added. “But hey … this is a GREAT campaign ad.”
These people are delusional. But hey…this is a GREAT campaign ad https://t.co/8hakf5ou3A
— Austyn_Texas (@TexasAustyn) June 22, 2022
“I suggest @TheDemocrats run with this message all the way to Election Day, especially the ‘calm down and back off’ part. That’ll convince people,” @irishspy concluded.
I suggest @TheDemocrats run with this message all the way to Election Day, especially the "calm down and back off" part. That'll convince a lot of people. https://t.co/XysqwOdrLN
— Phineas "Extreme Dark Ultra" Fahrquar (@irishspy) June 22, 2022