CNN's Pamela Brown on Monday confronted President Donald Trump and his administration with a damning supercut that highlighted their repeated promises that gas prices would fall sharply after the conclusion of the Iran conflict.
Gas Prices Surge Despite Promises
Brown noted that the national average price of gasoline has jumped from $2.98 to $4.49 per gallon since the start of the war, currently standing at roughly $4.43 per gallon according to AAA. She then played a series of clips showing officials making optimistic predictions.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on March 10, less than two weeks after the conflict began, that once the national security objectives of Operation Epic Fury are achieved, Americans would see oil and gas prices drop rapidly. Vice President JD Vance echoed this sentiment during a March 18 speech in Michigan, promising that energy prices would return to reality when the operation concludes.
Energy Secretary and Trump Weigh In
Energy Secretary Chris Wright predicted on March 23 that prices would go down quite a bit upon the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and on April 19 claimed prices had likely peaked. President Trump also made bold statements, telling reporters on April 30 that gas would drop like a rock as soon as the war ends, and in a speech the next day saying prices would come tumbling down like never before.
The supercut, compiled by CNN, shows Trump officials repeatedly assuring the public for nearly three months that gas prices are about to drop. Analysts now warn that prices could reach $5 a gallon.
Trump's Proposed Solution
In response to the ongoing crisis, Trump has considered a gas tax holiday to ease the burden on Americans. If approved by Congress, this would waive the federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon. Meanwhile, Trump is attempting to negotiate a deal with Iran to end the war, but remarked in a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that he will not be rushed into an agreement and does not care about the midterm elections.
