President Biden blames high prices on 'COVID and Vladimir Putin'

As Americans continue to suffer under the heavy financial burden caused by rising prices, President Joe Biden is blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin and the COVID-19 pandemic for the problem.

"I know that families are still struggling with higher prices. I grew up in a family where if the price of gas went up, we felt it. Let’s be absolutely clear about why prices are high right now: COVID and Vladimir Putin," a tweet on Biden's @POTUS account claimed.

The tweet comes as Americans witness the purchasing power of their savings rapidly eroded by soaring inflation.

"The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.2 percent in March on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.8 percent in February," the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in a report released earlier this month. "Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 8.5 percent before seasonal adjustment." The all items index increased by "8.5 percent for the 12 months ending March," according to the BLS.

Gas prices have already risen significantly since Biden took office in early 2021, and they have gone even higher since Russia started its invasion of Ukraine. As of Wednesday, AAA's national average price for a gallon of regular gas is $4.114. Biden issued an order to prohibit importing oil and other products from Russia, and Congress has also passed legislation to ban the importation of such products from Russia.

Many on social media pushed back against Biden's attempt to deflect blame for rising prices.

"Obviously no one believes this to be true, so why are they saying it?" tweeted Mollie Hemingway, editor-in-chief of the Federalist.

"Whichever newly-minted Berkeley poly sci grad is doing Biden’s Twitter was apparently never taught to respect voters’ intelligence. Inflation is surging because Biden dumped trillions into economy at worst possible time. Energy costs are exploding because he shut down US Energy," Stephen Miller wrote in response to Biden's tweet

"Then why has inflation increased every month of your presidency?" Republican Rep. Pat Fallon of Texas tweeted.

"I grew up in a generation when Jimmy Carter told us to turn down our thermostats due to an energy crisis. Biden has returned to the playbook of the 1970s, when presidents told families to suffer instead of addressing the crises CREATED BY THE ADMINISTRATION," Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana tweeted.

"FACT: Joe Biden is responsible for the skyrocketing inflation and historic gas prices. The American people know this and that is why a #REDTSUNAMI is coming this November," GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York tweeted. In another post Stefanik tweeted, "WRONG. The American people are smart. They understand that #Bidenflation was caused by Democrats’ radical tax and spend policies. Stop trying to disgracefully pass the buck."