FACT CHECK #RWKLKC2P

WHAT WE FOUND

Multiple sources confirm that the national average for gasoline surpassed $4.50 per gallon by May 2026 5710. This price surge followed the commencement of a U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28, 2026, which was initiated by the Trump administration 310. President Trump has explicitly linked the economic cost to his administration's goal of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, stating “you can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon” when asked about soaring fuel costs 78. The American Automobile Association (AAA) reported prices rose from $2.98 to $4.55 per gallon specifically due to the conflict's fallout 7. While other factors like oil company profit-taking and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz contributed to the volatility, the primary driver identified by both the administration and market analysts was the war 411. Trump defended the price spike as a necessary trade-off for “stopping the country from having a nuclear weapon” and suggested the inflation would be “short term” until the Iranian threat is neutralized 1410.

SOURCES

1. 1 · nytimes.comFACT-CHECKER
   A Fact Check of Trump’s Claims on Inflation and Gas Prices in Iran War - The New York Times

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2. 2 · gov.ca.govACADEMIC
   61 days later, no plan: Trump’s Iran war drives national gas prices to a four-year high, sending prices soaring across the economy | Governor of California

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3. 3 · spotlightpa.orgACADEMIC
   Republicans silent as gas prices surge 50% under Trump • Spotlight PA

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4. 4 · theguardian.comNEWS
   Trump claims US fuel prices ‘not very high’ as costs surge amid Iran war | US economy | The Guardian

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5. 5 · reuters.comNEWS
   White House scrambles for gas-price relief as Iran war drags on | Reuters

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6. 6 · cnbc.comWEB
   Trump says gas prices 'not very high' as most U.S. voters blame him for price spike

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7. 7 · time.comWEB
   Democrats Lambast 'Out of Touch' Trump Over Latest Gas Price Remarks

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8. 8 · the-independent.comWEB
   Americans have paid an additional $59 billion in inflated fuel prices since Trump started his Iran war | The Independent

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9. 9 · newsweek.comWEB
   Trump says "I love the inflation" as approval rating sinks to record low

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10. 10 · nbcnews.comWEB
    Trump defends saying he isn’t thinking about Americans’ finances amid Iran talks

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11. 11 · lcv.orgWEB
    Gas prices under Trump: it’s not just the Iran war making gas so expensive. Here’s the full story - League of Conservation Voters

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12. 12 · pbs.orgWEB
    About 2 in 3 Americans blame Trump for rising gas prices | PBS News

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