Trump Blamed for Rising Gas Prices

CNN’s senior data analyst Harry Enten mentioned on Friday that a significant number of Americans hold President Donald Trump accountable for increasing gas prices, even more than they did for his predecessors.

A striking 77% of Americans attribute the spike in gasoline prices to Trump, especially following the initiation of Operation Epic Fury against Iran on February 28. This level of blame surpasses what former presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden faced during their terms. To put it in perspective, back in 2005, 71% of people pointed fingers at Bush for rising gas costs, while Obama and Biden were blamed by 64% and 70%, respectively.

Enten highlighted that a recent Reuters poll indicated that a majority of Republicans (55%) and a remarkable 82% of independents also blame Trump for the gas price increase.

“This is an unprecedented indictment on gas prices by my party,” Enten remarked. “Independents are particularly inclined to hold the president responsible… It’s rare for the majorities across the political spectrum to agree on anything, yet here we are with a majority of Republicans, independents, and Democrats all pointing to Trump for the hike in gas prices.”

Since the onset of the conflict with Iran, gas prices have surged over 47%. As of Friday, regular gasoline averaged $4.39. The highest average recorded during Biden’s presidency was $5.01 per gallon on June 14, 2022.

The rising prices have been exacerbated by the U.S. and Iran enforcing mutual blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for oil exports. The U.S. has established a naval blockade around Iranian ports, while Iran has responded with stringent controls and the seizure of ships.

Interestingly, around 64% of Americans don’t believe that the war with Iran justifies the escalating gas prices, while 34% hold the opposing view. This data was discussed by Enten and reflects sentiments reported by CNBC.

Moreover, exit polls have shown that Americans placed more trust in Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris regarding economic and immigration matters, which contributed to Trump’s victory in the 2024 election.

Polling data, including from the NBC News Decision Desk, reveals that a large portion of the public disapproves of Trump’s economic management. The findings showed that 37% of participants approval of Trump’s economic strategy, while 63% expressed discontent. Additionally, a CNN/SSRS investigation found that Trump’s approval rating for economic management has dipped to a historic low of 31%.

Recent polling by Neapolitan News Service indicates that more Americans now trust Democrats over Republicans when it comes to handling the economy.