Trump Promised Relief. He Delivered A Failed War And Soaring Gas Prices

WSJ - Americans Have Spent $100 Billion More on Fuel During the Iran War

CNBC - Consumers Hit By One-Two Punch Of Oil And Rates From Iran War. The Estimated Bill Is $1,700 Per Household

ABC News - 'How Are We Gonna Get Through This?' Americans Face Tough Decisions As Diesel And Gas Prices Rise

CBS News - No Relief In Sight For U.S. Drivers As Gas And Diesel Prices Surge

Nationally, diesel prices are at record highs - more than $6.50 a gallon and still climbing - while gas prices are on track to have their highest September on record. As prices for Americans continue to soar at the pump, Trump is telling Americans that it's a "very inexpensive" price to pay. Trump's attempts to pass the buck belie Americans' reality: his illegal war in Iran, his tariffs, and the rest of Republicans' failed economic policies have made life unaffordable for families nationwide. While Trump continues to claim affordability is a "hoax" and a "con job," Americans are feeling the strain of Trump's policies on their pocketbooks.

Read More On How Americans Across The Country Are Paying The Price:

News Center Maine - Record Diesel Prices Put Squeeze On Maine Truck Drivers. "Every mile costs money, and for many Maine truck drivers, the price of keeping their vehicles on the road continues to climb. The average price of diesel in Maine reached nearly $6.52 per gallon Tuesday, according to the American Automobile Association, marking the highest average on record. The price is nearly 68% higher than it was at the same time last year." [News Center Maine, 9/23/26]

WGRZ (NY) - Americans Feel Impacts Of Rising Diesel Prices. "Diesel prices are at record levels in Buffalo, according to GasBuddy, putting added pressure on truck drivers and businesses that rely on the fuel to move goods."… "For independent truck drivers, the price increase is especially significant because they are responsible for paying for their own fuel. Jay, a truck driver making a delivery to Buffalo from Pennsylvania, said he drives about five days a week, sometimes six. 'I'm coming to deliver to Buffalo, and now I got a fuel, and probably all my profit is going to be to the tank,' Jay said." [WGRZ, 9/23/26]

KY3 - Rising Diesel Prices Impact Ozark Food Pantries And Non-Profits. Diesel gas prices are on the rise across the country; here in the Midwest, there's been a 43-cent increase since this time last week, according to the U.S.Energy Information Administration. These rising prices have started to worry some local non-profits and food pantries. Crosslines Resource Center says some families there are having to choose between a meal on the table and getting to work."… "While Crosslines hasn't necessarily seen major impacts from gas prices, organizations that deliver to them have. Ozarks Food Harvest delivers food on diesel trucks, and they say over the past year it has already spent 26,000 dollars more on fuel." [KY3, 9/23/26]

Politico - Prices Are Already High. Add 'Climateflation' To The Tab. "Timber is burning. Crops are dying from drought. And electric bills are climbing during heat waves. That's bringing more people face to face with climate-related inflation, as extreme weather leads to higher costs for things that are used by almost everybody - from food to powering light bulbs. Those pressures have crashed into the economy - and pocketbooks - this summer." [Politico, 9/22/26]

WABE - Georgia Diesel Prices Reach Record Highs, And Local Farmers Are Feeling The Pressure. "Diesel in Georgia rose above $6.35 a gallon over the weekend, reaching a record high, according to motor group AAA. The skyrocketing prices are now putting pressure on food supply, transportation, retail prices - and Georgia farmers. Blueberries, peaches, and Georgia's iconic Vidalia onions are some of the specialty crops that local farmers produce, which could put them in jeopardy as diesel prices continue to spiral further out of control. From the machines that harvest crops to the trucks that bring them to your grocery store, diesel powers just about everything in the food supply chain." [WABE, 9/21/26]

KSHB - Kansas Diesel Fuel Hits Record-High $6.23 Per Gallon, Putting Pressure On Farmers At Harvest Time. "Combines are rolling for harvest in Bucyrus, Kansas, but record-high diesel fuel prices are cutting into farmers' margins at one of the busiest times of year. Diesel fuel hit a record-high average of $6.23 per gallon in Kansas on Monday, according to AAA, nearly $2.70 higher than the same time last year. For Miami County farmer Hayden Guetterman, of Guetterman Brothers Family Farms, that cost adds up fast." [KSHB, 9/21/26]

AP - Rising Gas Prices Frustrate Voters. Trump Says It's An 'Inexpensive Price To Pay' For The Iran War. "Quinten Martinez, pumping gas under a hot South Texas sun, remembers a time when fueling up didn't require difficult decisions. 'Is it going to be groceries this week?' asked the 28-year-old Amazon delivery driver as he watched the numbers tick higher. 'Is it gonna be getting gas in our tank to go to work?' He shook his head when asked about President Donald Trump's assertion last week that higher gas prices are a small price to pay for the war with Iran. 'I don't feel like it's a good trade-off," Martinez said. "I don't feel like this is good for anyone.'" [AP, 9/20/26]

ABC 15 - Arizona Gas Prices Fuel Frustrations As Drivers Cut Spending To Afford Fill-Ups. "Arizona drivers are canceling subscriptions, skipping full tanks and hunting for the cheapest gas stations as fuel prices climb to record highs across the state." … "Danny, who was fueling up at a Circle K near Sky Harbor on Sunday, said prices just under $5 a gallon have forced him to make cuts elsewhere in his budget. 'It just feels wrong, because I know gas should not be this high.' 'Literally cut subscriptions, cut out my Netflix and HBO Max to offset the price for filling up a tank of gas,' Danny said." [ABC 15,9/20/26]

NYT - Iran War Will Make Winter More Expensive for Some Americans. "Jonathan Robidoux, a Long Island resident, calls his heating oil supplier every fall to have his tank filled for the coming winter. He spent $1,200 on the fuel last winter. This year, he will likely pay a lot more. The price of heating oil, a fuel that is very similar to the diesel used in trucks, is up roughly 60 percent since Israel and the United States started attacking Iran on Feb. 28. The war has sent oil and fuel prices soaring, leaving Mr. Robidoux and many others facing difficult financial decisions." [NYT, 9/18/26]

CBS 6 - Rising Diesel Prices Could Drive Up Fuel Costs For New York Consumers. "Higher diesel prices are squeezing trucking companies in New York and could soon translate into higher prices for consumers as transportation costs rise. Robert Benuzzi, transportation manager for Adirondack Beverage and a board member of the Trucking Association of New York, said diesel prices are the highest he has seen them. He said the issue is straightforward: nearly everything that moves from manufacturers to stores requires transportation, and much of it moves by truck." [CBS 6, 9/18/26]

WKYC - Ohio Drivers Feel Pain At The Pump As Gas Prices Climb Above National Average Amid Iran Conflict. "Ohio drivers are feeling the pinch as gas prices continue to rise, with the state's average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline now exceeding the national average. According to AAA, the national average for regular gas is about $4.44 per gallon, while Ohio drivers are paying closer to $4.52 per gallon. For many Northeast Ohio residents, the higher prices are straining already tight household budgets. 'Our government messed up, tore up from the floor up,' one man told 3News Thursday. 'Everywhere you go, gas (prices) keep going up. Who's making the money?'" [WKYC, 9/18/26]

CBS News - No Relief In Sight For U.S. Drivers As Gas And Diesel Prices Surge. "Gasoline and diesel prices continued to surge on Thursday, with energy experts warning that those costs are likely to climb in the days ahead amid festering geopolitical conflicts overseas." … "Some motorists respond to higher gas prices by driving less, noted Tom Kloza, chief energy adviser for Gulf Oil. But reducing diesel consumption is harder given that the fuel is widely used in trucking, rail, construction and other critical commercial activities." [CBS News, 9/17/26]

CNBC - How Record Diesel Prices Will Rip Through The U.S. Economy. Trucks And Rails Are Only The Start. "Ever since the outbreak of war with Iran earlier this year, motorists have been warily eyeing prices at the pump. While unleaded gas prices have largely avoided historic highs, the same can't be said for diesel fuel, which hit an all-time high of $6.31 per gallon on Wednesday. That was just the latest grim milestone in what has been a steady march upward. Economists and supply chain experts say what starts in the transportation sector, where trucking and rail companies are feeling the pain now - will eventually push prices on virtually everything in the economy up." [CNBC, 9/17/26]

New Republic - Trump's War In Iran Could Spark a Home Heating Crisis. "As winter arrives and the weather begins to cool, Americans across the country will be contending with increased heating costs, compounding the economic burdens of persistent inflation and stubbornly high grocery prices. The cost of heating oil in particular is expected to rise sharply, as gas prices overall remain elevated due to the ongoing war with Iran. A new report by the National Energy Assistance Directors Association found that heating costs will jump by 8.7 percent this winter as compared to last year-more than double the rate of inflation-with American households expected to spend an average of $1,030." [New Republic, 9/17/26]

Fox 11 - Wisconsin Diesel Prices Expected To Hit Groceries, Lumber Industry. "Diesel fuel prices have hit an all-time record high in Wisconsin at $6.19 a gallon, according to AAA." … "Grocery stores aren't the only industry seeing an impact from expensive diesel, it's also hurting the lumber industry." [Fox 11, 9/17/26]

KTVB - Idaho Farmers Bear The Brunt Of Record-High Diesel Prices Amid Critical Harvest Period. "Harvest season is underway across Idaho, and farmers are facing another rising cost as they work to bring crops out of the field: diesel fuel. The average price of diesel in Idaho reached about $6.33 per gallon Thursday, according to AAA. That is a record high for the state, up about 33 cents from a week ago, 91 cents from a month ago and nearly $2.50 from a year ago. The increase comes as farmers rely heavily on diesel-powered equipment during one of the busiest times of the year." [KTVB, 9/17/26]

WKYT - Record Diesel Costs Ripple Through Kentucky's Livestock Industry. "Diesel fuel prices are continuing to surge, with AAA reporting Thursday that the national average hit a record high of $6.39 a gallon. The Auto Club said that price is up nearly three-quarters compared to $3.70 a gallon at this time last year. Leaders in the region's livestock industry said the price increase is squeezing producers across the board." [WKYT,9/17/26]

WXYZ - Record Gas Prices Force Metro Detroit Drivers And Businesses To Make Tough Choices. "Rising fuel prices are forcing metro Detroit drivers and businesses to make tough decisions as gas prices surge overnight and Michigan diesel hits a record high." … "Drivers say the increases are hitting their wallets hard. "I mean, we're having to sacrifice whether I can put $10 in here, or do I go get something to eat," Elizabeth Lewis, a DoorDash driver, said." [WXYZ, 9/17/26]

9 News - Colorado Diesel Prices Hit All-Time High, Straining Everything From Food Banks, Schools And Farms. "The average price of diesel fuel in Colorado climbed to a record $6.04 a gallon this week, according to AAA, driving up costs for food delivery, school transportation and agriculture across the state." … "At Food Bank of the Rockies, the rising cost of diesel is straining a fleet that moves 200,000 meals a day across the region." … "School districts are also affected. Boulder Valley School District spends about $900,000 a year on fuel for its roughly 205 school buses, said Brendan Sullivan, the district's executive director. He said rising gas and diesel prices threaten to divert money away from classrooms." [9 News, 9/17/26]

Washington Post - Gas Prices Are About To Take A Big Jump, Analysts Say, With The Worst Still To Come. "The effects of the U.S.-led war on Iran are about to intensify in the form of huge jumps in the prices of gasoline and diesel, analysts predict. And despite the Trump administration's assurances, a new and potentially even more economically damaging phase of the war may be about to begin. The national average price for regular gasoline stood at $4.44 on Thursday, according to AAA, with a range of $6.09 in California to $3.92 in Indiana." [Washington Post, 9/16/26]

CNBC - Consumers Hit By One-Two Punch Of Oil And Rates From Iran War. The Estimated Bill Is $1,700 Per Household. " Consumers are facing a double-whammy of jumping oil prices and Treasury yields amid the U.S. war with Iran that is leaving them increasingly cash-strapped. Crude prices reaccelerated in recent weeks as fighting between the U.S. and Iran has ramped back up, a development that will lead to higher prices at the pump. On top of that, the 10-year Treasury yield jumped this week to its highest in 19 years, threatening to intensify affordability challenges for consumers as borrowing costs rise for items like homes and cars." [CNBC. 9/16/26]

ABC News - 'How Are We Gonna Get Through This?' Americans Face Tough Decisions As Diesel And Gas Prices Rise. "As diesel and gas prices soar in the United States amid the war with Iran, Americans across the country are making tough decisions as they continue to cope with the heavy strain of inflation. 'You have to manage your bills. You have to manage the food you bring in. You have to manage how you pay your bills … everything has to be budgeted,' said Betsy Rosado, a 47-year-old mother who lives with her husband and five of their children in Spring Hill, Florida." [ABC News, 9/16/26]

Maine Morning Star - Everyday Increases Cost Maine Households $4,300 Since Trump Returned To Office. "You're not imagining it: everyday costs are going up. From gas to groceries, heating oil to healthcare, Mainers are paying substantially more for goods and services than they were a year ago. The average Maine household has paid an average of $4,300 more for goods and services since President Donald Trump began his second term, according to an analysis released last week, which attributes much of that increase to the war in Iran, tariffs and rising healthcare costs." [Maine Morning Star, 9/16/26]

WESH (Florida) - Paying Higher Prices For Gas And Groceries In Central Florida. "Gas prices in Florida have risen to an average of $4.20 per gallon, with some areas seeing prices nearly 20 cents higher, creating financial strain for drivers and affecting grocery costs and food banks. 'I mean, it's just crazy,' one driver said. 'I'm not liking the prices. I wish it could go down, not up.' The average price for gas in Florida has increased significantly compared to $3.13 per gallon this time last year. The ongoing instability in the Middle East and rising crude oil prices are putting pressure on the local supply chain." [WESH, 9/16/26]

WRAL (North Carolina) - Gas Prices Rising Across The Board In NC As National Prices Hit Milestones. "Gas prices continued to spike Wednesday morning, and the cost of unleaded and diesel fuel is going to cause more pain to wallets with inflation also on the rise. Across North Carolina, the average price for unleaded gas jumped roughly 8 cents overnight to $4.12 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA. In just a week, the average price has increased by nearly 22 cents." [WRAL, 9/16/26]

WSJ - Americans Have Spent $100 Billion More on Fuel During the Iran War. "Oil prices' lurch above $100 a barrel is propelling the U.S. past another unwelcome milestone: The war with Iran is sticking Americans with a 12-figure bill. U.S. consumers have collectively spent about $107 billion more on gasoline and diesel during the Iran conflict and disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict than they would have had there been no war, according to estimates by the Climate Solutions Lab at Brown University. That averages to more than $500 million a day since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, and a recent surge in crude assures that the price tag will only grow in the weeks ahead." [WSJ, 9/15/26]

WSJ - U.S. Diesel Prices Hit New Record High as Fuel Squeeze Bites. "The average price of a gallon of diesel in the U.S. hit a fresh record high of $6.27 on Tuesday, according to the American Automobile Association. U.S. diesel prices are soaring once again as the squeeze in the fuel market tightens, breaching $6 a gallon for the first time on Friday. Higher prices at the pump come as Brent Crude trades at around $107 a barrel, with renewed supply concerns mounting and Northern Hemisphere farmers entering the diesel-intensive harvesting season." [WSJ, 9/15/26]

CBS News - Your Home Heating Oil Bill Is Likely To Jump This Winter. "Americans who use heating oil to warm their homes are likely to face a sharp spike in utility costs this winter as the Iran war drives up global energy prices, according to a new forecast. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), a nonprofit policy organization, estimates that households that use heating oil to power their furnaces and boilers will pay an average of nearly $2,300 in total for the four-month stretch between mid-November and mid-March 2027 - up more than 30% compared to last year." [CBS News, 9/15/26]

Fox 4 (Texas) - Diesel Fuel Prices Hit Record High In North Texas As Inflation Concerns Mount. "Diesel fuel prices have shot up to an all-time record high of between $6.23 and $6.27 per gallon. And more than just truck drivers are saying, "ouch." Consumers, business owners, and economists are all sounding the alarm because every part of the American economy at some point rides on 18-wheelers." [Fox 4, 9/15/26]

Fortune - 'All Of Us Are Going To Pay': 30% Of Americans Are Taking Out BNPL Loans To Pay For Groceries, And It's Probably Going To Cost You. "In the check-out line of your local grocery store, there's a nearly one-in-three chance someone there has used an app like Klarna or Affirm to finance their purchase of produce, milk, and eggs at some point. Their use of buy now, pay later could mean your groceries are about to cost more, economists have found." [Fortune, 9/14/26]

Maine Public - Maine Faces Soaring Prices For Heating Oil Ahead Of Winter. "Some Maine households could be in for an expensive winter as heating oil prices near a six-month high amid ongoing global instability. The average statewide price of heating oil was $5.39 as of Sept. 8, the most expensive fuel has been since April. Charlie Summers, CEO of the Maine Energy Marketers Association said a combination of ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Persian Gulf were causing turmoil in international fossil fuel markets." [Maine Public, 9/14/26]

CNN - Diesel Costs More Than $6 A Gallon For The First Time. Here's How That Affects You. "The price of diesel, the workhorse fuel that powers the world economy, topped $6 a gallon on Friday for the first time ever. The price point may be invisible to most American drivers, but will likely lead to higher costs for most things consumers buy. The national average is $6.06 a gallon, according to the latest reading from AAA, up 21 cents in just the last week." … "Diesel costs have risen more than 55% since the start of the war with Iran, outpacing the 40% jump in gasoline prices." [CNN, 9/11/26]

AP - No Relief From Inflation As Middle East Clashes Lifts Fuel Prices To Painful Levels. "U.S. inflation accelerated last month as gas prices spiked in the wake of renewed fighting in the Middle East, underscoring the affordability challenges that are top of mind for many voters with midterm elections now just seven weeks away. The consumer price index rose 3.4% last month compared with a year ago, the Labor Department said Friday, just like July. But inflation quickened month to month as costs jumped 0.4% from July, quadrupling the 0.1% registered in the previous month." [AP, 9/11/26]

AP - US Diesel Prices Soar Past $6 A Gallon, Deepening Strain For Hauling Everyday Goods. "Diesel prices in the U.S. hit yet another record on Friday, soaring past $6 a gallon on average as Washington's war with Iran disrupts the world's flow of fuel."… "Higher diesel prices mean more expensive transportation for a long list of everyday goods. That's because diesel is used for many freight and delivery networks. And some businesses have already passed along steeper costs to consumers in the form of added fees on online orders and packages in the mail. Shoppers may feel more and more sticker shock, particularly in the grocery aisle." [AP, 9/11/26]

The Guardian - US Consumers Faced More High Prices In August As Iran War Raised Energy Costs. "US consumer prices remained stubbornly high in August as the end of the ceasefire between the US and Iran pushed energy prices up, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released on Friday." … "Gasoline increased 27.4% compared with the year before, accounting for more than one-third of the overall monthly increase in prices. Fuel , which is used to power and heat homes, increased annually at a staggering 52%." [The Guardian, 9/11/26]

Market Watch - All The Ways $6 Diesel And Rising Gas Prices Are About To Make Your Life More Expensive - From Commuting To Grocery Shopping. "It's almost fall, and the weather will be cooling, but Americans' energy costs are going to be blazing hot. That will likely mean more expensive commutes to work and pricier perishable goods at the grocery store for consumers, who have already been coping with rising prices and paychecks that have struggled to grow faster than inflation." [Market Watch, 9/11/26]

Axios - Iowa Grocery Prices Face New Pressure. "Iowan grocery shoppers could soon feel a broader price squeeze as war, weather and rising farm costs push up food production and transportation costs. Why it matters: Midwest grocery prices were already 2.2% higher in July than a year earlier, and analysts warn global food inflation could accelerate further. The big picture: Multiple pressures are building across the food supply chain, including higher fuel costs and surging corn and wheat prices." [Axios, 9/9/26]

Axios - Iran War Drives $100 Billion In Extra Energy Costs For U.S. Consumers. "The war in Iran has now cost U.S. consumers $100 billion in higher energy prices, and the bill is rising another $1 million about every two minutes, per a real-time estimate from Brown University as of Monday morning. Why it matters: Energy inflation shows up across the entire economy, and the recent surge in diesel prices in particular threatens to have a dramatic impact on freight and travel in the weeks and months to come. By the numbers: The Iran War Energy Cost Tracker from Brown's Watson School says higher gasoline and diesel prices have cost the average U.S. household more than $760 since the war began Feb. 28." [Axios, 9/7/26]

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