President Donald Trump admitted on Sunday gas prices may be higher by the time the midterm election takes place in November, although he added they could “be around the same” currently as oil and gas are at an elevated price amid the ongoing Iran war.
Speaking by phone with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, the president said prices “could be” lower, “or the same, or maybe a little bit higher, but it should be around the same,” prompting Bartiromo to raise her eyebrows at his comment.
Why It Matters
Global oil prices have risen sharply over recent weeks as conflict and instability in the Middle East, particularly around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, injected fresh risk into energy markets and revived fears of supply disruptions. Gasoline prices followed that trend in multiple regions as traders priced in the possibility of interrupted shipments and higher transportation and refining costs.
At the same time, policy signals from major oil‑producing countries, including OPEC nations adjusting output plans, added to volatility by tightening expectations around near‑term supply. Seasonal demand, refinery constraints, and global market linkages remain key factors as to why increases in crude prices were quickly reflected in higher fuel costs worldwide over the past two months.
What To Know
During their interview, Bartiromo repeatedly attempted to get answers on measures the U.S. is taking to handle the high gas prices as the midterms loom, with Republicans facing down an increasingly difficult election that could see them lose not just the House but also the Senate to the Democrats.
However, Trump instead decided to focus on the impact of Operation Epic Fury, and the goal of ensuring Iran does not achieve a nuclear weapon—a goal for which the president has repeatedly stressed no cost could be too high.
“I think this won’t be that much longer. They’re wiped out, Maria,” Trump insisted. “They’re wiped out, and you don’t get a fair shake. We need a free and fair press in this country, and I don’t even know why people would do that. Why would they say how wonderful they’re doing militarily, they’re doing so well?”
When pressed as to whether his decision to blockade the Strait of Hormuz will help to lower the price of oil and gas, Trump said the price will “eventually” be lower, but “might not happen initially.”
“When this is all over, the stock market—the Dow hit 50,000,” Trump said. “It was supposed to be in four or five years. They said it won’t happen during his term, but it’ll be maybe four or five years. It hit 50,000 in my first year. You know it better than anybody. You cover it better than anybody. The S&P hit 7,000 in my first year, before my first year.”
He added: “Frankly, the gas hasn’t gone up as much as I thought. But, regardless, even if it did, we have to stop this group of people from having—and, again, it was worse because Khamenei was a total radical, I will be nice, maniac. He was a maniac. And you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump also said he was “fine” with his statement that “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back” ahead of a potential strike on Iran last week, saying the statement “brought them [Iran] to the table.”
“Now, does anybody ever complain to you when they say that?” Trump added. “I think that’s a big step worse, ‘Death to America.’ So, they’re allowed to say ‘Death to America.’ And what I’m referring to is—and when I talk about civilization, it’ll be much different, because their military will be totally gone. It’s pretty much gone now.”
Vice President JD Vance announced Saturday that marathon negotiations with Iranian officials in Pakistan concluded without an agreement, citing Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear weapons program.
How High Are Current Gas Prices?
According to AAA, the national average for gas is at $4.125 a gallon for regular gas and just over $5 for premium. This is a .01 cent decline from yesterday on regular and premium prices, but still up by the same amount from prices last week, when regular gas cost $4.110 and premium was $4.988.
A month ago, the price was $3.598 a gallon for regular—marking a roughly .60 cent increase per gallon – and premium was $4.467—marking a roughly a similar increase to regular.
A year ago, regular gas cost an average of $3.196 a gallon and premium was just over $4 a gallon.
What People Are Saying
Conservative political pundit Bill Mitchell on X on Saturday: “It is shocking even for a Media that is regular shocking that they are claiming Iran is “winning the war.” My God, their navy is gone, their air force is destroyed, the missile manufacturing capacity wiped out, Uranium enrichment facilities and scientists gone and their top leadership unalived. How does the media get “losing” from that?”
Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, on X on Sunday: “Virginia families are feeling the weight of rising inflation—the highest in years—caused by Trump’s war of choice in the Middle East. This unnecessary and illegal conflict needs to end.”
Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, on X on Sunday: “The brutal Iranian regime demonstrates the genius and enduring value of our Second Amendment. Unlike Democrats, who seem to be hoping for failure, I hope [POTUS] succeeds. Imagine a world where the Ayatollahs can no longer hold the world hostage.”
Senator Christ Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, on X on Sunday: So now WE are closing the Strait. This is – just in case you were wondering – as dumb as it sounds. It’s a classic case of one tragic mistake begetting another because of out of control hubris and pride.
What Happens Next
Within hours of the talks ending in Pakistan between the U.S. and Iran, Trump took to social media on Sunday and said he had instructed the U.S. Navy to blockade “any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz” and to interdict vessels in international waters that had paid what he described as an “illegal toll” to Iran. He accused Tehran of laying mines and extorting global shipping in the narrow waterway, and warned “other countries” would be involved alongside the U.S.
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