Gas Hits $4.29 as Trump Campaigns Amid Midterm Energy Crunch
The national average for regular gasoline has risen $1.31 since the U.S. launched a war with Iran in February, leaving voters to weigh fuel costs against the president's promises of relief.
By Fatima Mansour ·
Regular gasoline now costs an average of $4.29 per gallon, up from $2.98 before the United States began military operations against Iran in February. The price spike has become a central issue for voters heading into the November 3 midterm elections, where Republicans aim to maintain their congressional majority.
President Donald Trump has faced rising energy costs for nearly eight months since the conflict started. He has repeatedly argued that higher fuel prices are a manageable trade-off for preventing Iran from building a nuclear weapon. During a recent rally in Georgia, he told supporters that the United States is "making a freaking fortune" from the situation.
Diesel prices have seen a sharper increase. The national average reached a record high above $6 per gallon last month and currently stands at $6.35. That figure is up from $3.76 in February. The surge has strained trucking and farming sectors, prompting new administrative measures to offset the costs.
Trump’s messaging on energy has evolved alongside market volatility. In his State of the Union address in early 2026, he noted that gasoline was below $2.30 in most states. By the end of the summer, he expressed frustration on social media that retail prices had not dropped faster despite crude oil falling to $68 a barrel. He warned retailers that "big problems lie ahead" if they did not lower prices.
Recent comments suggest the administration expects prices to remain elevated through the election cycle. Trump told a crowd in North Carolina that higher fuel costs were a "very inexpensive price to pay" for the war's objectives. He added that even a larger price increase would be acceptable in the context of the conflict.
Last month, the president announced a deal to purchase Russian diesel to help stabilize prices, a shift from previous U.S. pressure on Moscow. He also cited U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz as a factor that would bring down costs. The administration is currently rolling out a harvest fuel relief program that provides $8 billion in support for farmers.
Oil markets have remained volatile throughout the conflict. Brent crude prices jumped from roughly $70 a barrel in 2025 to over $100 earlier this year. Prices later cooled to $71.57 during hopes for peace before spiking back past $101 as fighting resumed. Gasoline prices peaked above $4.50 in May before settling near current levels.
Source: ABC News
