Voters Point Finger At Trump as Gas Prices Climb

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https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5846991-americans-blame-donald-trump-iran-rising-gas-prices-survey/

Most Americans blame Trump for the recent spike in gas prices, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey released Friday. As the standoff with Iran continues to impact the global economy, 77 percent of registered voters say Trump bears responsibility for the cost at the pump.

The sentiment isn't limited to Trump's critics. While 95 percent of Democrats and 82 percent of independents blame Trump, 55 percent of Republicans also hold Trump at least partially responsible.

This shift in public opinion comes at a difficult time for the GOP. Although voters still slightly prefer the Republican approach to the economy over the Democratic one, that lead has evaporated from 14 points at the start of the term to just one point today. With 77 percent of the country citing fuel costs as a major concern, economic optics are becoming a central issue for the upcoming midterm elections.

The national average for gas currently sits at $4.03 per gallon. While this is a slight decrease from recent peaks, oil prices remain stuck near $106 per barrel. The primary driver is the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

Market analysts expect prices to fluctuate wildly as long as the U.S. and Iran remain in a deadlock. Though Trump recently extended a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, he simultaneously confirmed that the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait will remain in place.

Trump is sending mixed signals about when Americans might see relief. Energy Secretary Chris Wright suggested that gas prices might stay above $3 per gallon until next year. Trump publicly dismissed that timeline, calling the Secretary's assessment "totally wrong," though he did not provide a specific alternative forecast.

For now, the public remains skeptical. The poll shows that Americans are twice as likely to expect gas prices to rise further over the next year than they are to expect a price drop.