U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on the "Trump Accounts" tax-advantaged investment program at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, U.S., July 22, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
One of President Donald Trump's latest jokes drew criticism from CNN panelists.
During Wednesday's Georgia rally at a high school in Marietta, Georgia, a wealthy Atlanta suburb, Trump claimed Democrats invented the term "affordability." He also said, before his first press conference, he had never heard the word.
Trump told the crowd, "First time I heard it, it was a word, you know, made up by the Democrats: 'affordability.'"
"They said, 'affordability.' I said, 'I've been here one day. Don't worry, I'll take care of it.' And we're taking care of it."
The joke shocked CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront" panelists. Host Erin Burnett called the joke "stunning."
Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson rejected Trump's claim as false, noting, "He doesn't want to talk about the economy right now, but if you look at every single poll, it's still the number one issue that people will vote on. So, affordability is not a hoax."
Carlson criticized Trump for blaming Biden for current economic conditions, as well.
"President Trump promised that on his very first day in office, he would reduce prices for the American consumer. And until he starts focusing on that, he is making the whole scenario for other republicans in the midterms incredibly treacherous," she added.
Watch the video below.