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Why this matters:

• His optimistic take was unexpected given that voters ahead of the November midterm elections have ranked the economy as a top concern — and have given President Donald Trump low marks on that issue. Within minutes of his on-camera comment, Democrats quickly rushed to promote it on social media.
  
  

• Trump had pledged in his 2024 campaign to quickly vanquish inflation, but his argument now is that higher prices are solely a function of the Iran war raising energy costs. On Wednesday, he claimed that relief is already on its way because of a secret military operation that had ferried what he said was 100 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• WATCH: Trump says ‘I love the inflation’
  
  
• US households, businesses stung by higher energy prices that have pushed inflation above 4% 
  
  
• FACT FOCUS: Is inflation a red state vs. blue state issue? It’s increasing no matter how you cut it 
  
  
• US launches a second day of strikes on Iran and Iran fires back at the Gulf states and Jordan
  
  
• Judge rejects watchdog’s bid to block Trump administration’s $1.8B ‘anti-weaponization’ fund 
  
  
• Trump signs bill giving nearly $70B to his immigration enforcement agenda through end of his term
  
  
• Trump sticks with Pulte for intel job as risk grows of lapse in spy powers
  
  
• Solar power hits new milestones in the US even as Trump boosts coal over clean energy 
  
  
• FBI seizes 13 websites that officials say were used by China to target and recruit US workers
  
  
• Florida court allows use of new US House districts drawn by Republicans for midterm elections 
  
  
• Nevada GOP voters choose Trump-backed US House candidate in one of state’s high-profile races
   
• Trump accuses Democrats of hypocrisy on Platner, despite questions about his own conduct
  
  
• Nancy Mace’s unpredictable career is up in the air after finishing last in South Carolina primary
  
  
• Administration plans intensive, year-round construction schedule for Trump’s triumphal arch
  
  
• $60M and 7 federal agencies required to stage Trump’s UFC fight at White House

US NEWS

Bill Gates testifies about his ties to Epstein, calls meeting him a ‘grave error in judgment’

Bill Gates said Wednesday that he “should never have met with Epstein in the first place,” but that he “never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct.” Read more.

Why this matters:

• The tech billionaire became the latest powerful figure linked to the disgraced financier to testify before the House Oversight Committee. As Gates arrived at the Capitol, he noted that his appearance was voluntary. He did not take questions from reporters at the conclusion of the interview late Wednesday afternoon. 

   

• Most Democratic members who participated in Wednesday's questioning described Gates as cooperative. They said some of the most useful information he provided involved other influential people in Epstein’s orbit. Lawmakers also said they pressed Gates on why he continued interacting with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• WATCH: Gates says he hopes his testimony will help lawmakers ‘find justice for the victims’

US NEWS

Southern Baptists advance a formal ban on churches with women pastors

Thousands of Southern Baptists overwhelmingly voted Wednesday to advance a formal ban on women pastors in the nation's largest Protestant denomination, sending a clear message that men alone should preach to these conservative evangelical congregations. Read more.

What to know:

• The vote was a 3-to-1 margin, which easily exceeded the required two-thirds majority. It will require a similar two-thirds vote at next year's meeting to become part of the constitution. The amendment would tighten existing restrictions in the Southern Baptist Convention, which already has a faith statement opposing women pastors.