Kevin Hassett, director of the U.S.National Economic Council, drew widespread criticism following remarks he made during a Fox News Sunday interview regarding the financial condition of American households.

The discussion centered on a recent report indicating that around 13% of Americans had delinquent credit card balances, the highest level recorded since the 2008 financial crisis.

When asked about the concerning trend, Hassett acknowledged that credit card companies were observing some financial stress but downplayed the severity of the situation.

He distinguished between delinquency and default, arguing that rising late payments do not necessarily signal an imminent financial threat to credit card issuers.

According to Hassett, major credit card companies do not currently anticipate widespread defaults and believe consumers are simply taking longer to make payments rather than becoming unable to pay entirely.His comments quickly sparked backlash across social media platforms.Critics accused him of minimizing economic hardship faced by ordinary Americans.A Navy veteran described his remarks as emblematic of an administration more focused on corporate well-being than household financial struggles.Representative Sean Casten criticized the tone of the comments as lacking empathy toward people facing economic pressure.

Additional reactions from commentators and academics suggested that Hassett’s framing ignored the broader implications of rising consumer debt and financial strain.

Economists and observers noted that while delinquency and default are technically different metrics, sustained increases in late payments can still signal underlying economic vulnerability.The controversy highlights ongoing debates about the strength of the U.S.consumer economy and how government officials interpret financial stress indicators.