Things got testy between Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and NBC's Kristen Welker after she refused to let him blame former President Joe Biden for President Donald Trump's suffering economy.
Scott and Welker publicly clashed Sunday on "Meet the Press" after Welker noted that American families are "paying more in the wake of President Trump's taxes and tariffs." After last-minute trade negotiations collapsed between the U.S. and Canada, Trump's 50% tariffs on multitudes of Canadian imports were set Saturday.
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Welker then read aloud a statement from Maine Sen. Susan Collins (R), in which she said, "If the administration proceeds with these tariffs, they will increase costs for Maine families as most businesses will have no choice, but to pass on the tariffs to their customers through higher prices."
"Is she right, particularly given that we have seen that in the past, given the president's tariffs?" Welker asked Scott.
In response, Scott tried to pass the buck off to Biden.
"Well, Kristen, you're talking about a really important issue of cost. Let's look back at the original sin of costs in America in the last eight years. It goes to Joe Biden who took inflation up 21% —"
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"Wait," Welker interjected. "President Trump has been in office for two years."
The two talked over each other as Scott continued, "...while [Biden] was president."
"Hold on, senator. President Trump has been in office for two years," Welker reiterated.
"Let me finish. President Trump has brought inflation from a sky high 21% of the Biden years down to under 5%, and right now hovering near 4%," Scott continued.
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Welker interjected again, "Wait. Inflation was at 3% when President Biden left office. It's at 3.4% right now. The average household has paid $1,000 more in 2026 due to the tariffs, senator."
Scott, who continued trying to over talk her, argued to Welker that Trump "inherited a weak economy and has built a resilient, strong economy with our wages going up and our costs flattening finally."
He went on to accuse Senate Democrats of having voted to "take money out of the pockets of senior citizens last year," among other accusations.
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The two continued cutting each other off before Welker regained the reins in the conversation again.
"Senator, these are the facts. When President Trump took office, inflation was at 3%. It's now at 3.4%. Gas prices are over $4 a gallon, up over $1 from a year ago. President Trump's tariffs have cost American households nearly $2,000. He promised he was going to bring prices down on day one. Did he break that promise? Prices have gone up."
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Scott dragged Biden back into the conversation in response.
"Well, the good news is you don't disagree with the fact that Joe Biden brought 21% extra cost on the American family. We do agree —"
Welker fired back, "But we're not talking about Joe Biden, though. The Biden administration is over. We're two years into the Trump administration."
Scott replied, "It's a contrast, Kristen. At the end of the day, the American people need to see the contrast. And the good news is they're seeing the contrast."
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Scott shifted to blaming the Democrats again.
"We're seeing the most dangerous, radical, weird candidates coming out of the Senate from the Democrats. And we're going to have a chance to let the American people tell us which party they prefer. I am betting not only on Republicans, I'm betting on us staying in the majority and even having a shot at increasing the majority."
Welker yet again reminded Scott that Trump has been president for two years.
"Senator, President Trump himself says he owns this economy, this is now the Trump economy. He's been in office for two years. We're not talking about Joe Biden. We're talking about President Trump. He's the guy in office."
Scott wouldn't let go of blaming Biden, replying, "There's no doubt. I want to make sure that the voters have the clear picture of more than just 18 months in office. The fact of the matter is that what proceeded the 18 months matters."
He continued, "And that's one of the reasons why when you look at President Trump making sure that working class Americans have more money ... more money to spend, that's a good thing. Democrats voting against that? That's a bad thing."
Welker repeated once again, "All right, senator, again inflation was at 3% when President Trump took office. It's at 3.4% now."
Watch Scott's appearance on "Meet the Press" below. Skip to the 14:11 mark to hear the heated exchange.
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