CNN’s Manu Raju clashes with Mike Johnson over Iran war and gas price predictions
Key Takeaways
- •Raju confronted Johnson about his repeated predictions that the war in Iran would be over soon and that higher gas prices would be temporary.
- •Raju said it had been more than six months and argued that consumers were still being hurt at the pump.
- •Johnson sharply rejected responsibility for the war, saying he had nothing to do with its prosecution.
- •Johnson called Raju’s question “one of the stupidest” he had ever been asked and turned the issue back on the reporter.
- •After the exchange, Raju said on X that Johnson was defensive and had snapped during the confrontation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) lashed out at CNN congressional correspondent Manu Raju on Tuesday after the reporter confronted him over his past predictions that the war in Iran would end quickly and cause only a temporary rise in gas prices.
The exchange unfolded on Capitol Hill, where Raju pressed Johnson on comments he had made about the conflict and its effects on fuel costs. “You said repeatedly that this war was going to be over soon,” Raju told Johnson during a tense exchange on Capitol Hill. “You said that this would be a temporary blip — short-term — on gas prices. It has been more than six months. People are getting hurt still at the pump.”
Raju then asked whether the public should hold Johnson accountable for those forecasts. “Should the American people not also judge you on your projections?” Raju asked. “Your projections here have clearly been off base.”
Johnson immediately snapped back.
“Manu, that is one of the stupidest questions you’ve ever asked,” the speaker said. “I have nothing to do with the prosecution of the war across the globe.”
While Raju quickly reminded Johnson that he has helped President Donald Trump sell his war with Iran to the American public, Johnson attempted to turn the question back on the CNN reporter.
“So should the House speaker be held responsible for the duration of a military conflict around the globe?” Johnson asked, briefly patting Raju on the shoulder. “You should answer that question.”
The back-and-forth highlighted the political sensitivity around claims that wartime disruptions and gas-price spikes will be short-lived, especially when those claims are made by congressional leaders helping shape the public case for administration policy. In a post on X after the brief exchange, Raju described Johnson as “defensive” and added that “he snapped” after his questions.
“Why is that stupid?” Raju fired back at Johnson.
Speaker Johnson defensive about his past projections about the Iran war, including repeatedly saying it’s just a skirmish that would be over in short order and cause just a “temporary blip” in gas prices. More than six months in, asked him if the public should judge him on his… pic.twitter.com/0BpVaGy6xC — Manu Raju (@mkraju) September 1, 2026
