Trump’s Reckless War Sends Gas Prices Surging To Historic Highs, Americans Are Cutting Back Just To Survive

CNN: Memorial Day Sticker Shock: Gas Prices Near All-Time Highs

WSJ: The Memorial Day Barbecue Is Starting To Cost A Small Fortune

CBS News: Summer Travelers Face "Vacation Inflation" As Airfare, Gas Prices Rise

Axios: Iran War Hits Small Business Hard

Donald Trump illegally launched a war with Iran, and American families are paying for it this Memorial Day Weekend- at the gas pump, at their family BBQs and vacations, and at the kitchen table. Families, farmers, and small businesses across the country are feeling the strain. Yet, instead of working with Senate Democrats to lower costs, Republicans are focused on Trump's gold-plated ballroom, his slush fund for cop-assaulting insurrectionists, protecting him from tax audits, and funneling more than $70 billion into ICE and Border Patrol with no accountability.

And Trump doesn't care. He says the quiet part out loud. His response to increasing costs? "This is peanuts." "I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don't think about anybody."

"Americans are facing the one of the most expensive Memorial Day weekends in US history because of Donald Trump and his failed agenda," said Leader Schumer. "Trump is driving gas prices to $5.00 a gallon, causing the cost of groceries for your weekend cook-out to skyrocket, and making the price of the flight to visit your family more expensive. And he couldn't care less. Instead, he's more focused on stealing billions of taxpayer dollars for his gold-plated ballroom and insurrectionist slush fund. Senate Democrats won't stand for that. We're moving full steam ahead to fight Trump's costs, chaos, and corruption."

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NYT - High Gas Prices Are Squeezing America's Food Banks. "Every morning, semi trucks from the Oregon Food Bank's fleet load up at its central warehouse in Portland, carrying tons of canned goods, frozen meats, and fruits and vegetables to supply food pantries across the state." … "Those delivery runs have become more expensive since the war in Iran sent the cost of diesel soaring, said Andrea Williams, president of the food bank, which has had to budget for roughly $20,000 extra in monthly fuel costs. And the additional expense is starting to affect how much food her organization can afford to place on those trucks." [NYT, 5/20/26]

WSJ - The Memorial Day Barbecue Is Starting To Cost A Small Fortune. "Inflation is back, and it is coming for Memorial Day gatherings and the summer activities beyond. Gas prices are up and cookout grocery lists are getting squeezed: Uncooked ground beef was up 14.5% in April from a year earlier, according to Labor Department data. Frankfurters rose 10.7% and tomatoes, a backyard-burger staple, were 39.7% higher." [WSJ, 5/21/26]

AP - Memorial Day: Higher Fuel Prices Have Some Americans Scaling Back Their Travel Plans. "As someone who is "not the best person with bugs and stuff," Stephanie Bernaba never imagined herself becoming an outdoorsy mom. But the mother of three is getting more daring as gas prices and other travel costs make vacations more expensive. Her family has traded pricier trips, such as long summer stays in Florida and an annual Disney World visit around her birthday, for local beaches, bike rides and hiking trails near their home in coastal Rhode Island. 'I've been trying to do more of that because one, it's quality time. Two, it's fresh air. And three, we're not spending an arm and a leg,' Bernaba, 47, said. That kind of calibration is shaping the summer travel season, which gets its traditional start in the U.S. with the long Memorial Day holiday weekend. Higher fuel prices resulting from the Iran war and other inflationary pressures are making most forms of travel costlier as people in many parts of the world form their plans." [Associated Press, 5/21/26]

AP - US Grocery Prices Rose In April, But Gas Spikes Weren't The Only Reason. "Americans paid more for their groceries last month, but high gasoline prices resulting from the Iran war were only one of the reasons why. Prices for food eaten at home rose 2.9% in April compared to the same month a year earlier, according to government figures released Tuesday. That was the highest year-over-year inflation rate for the category since August 2023." [Associated Press, 5/13/26]

Reuters - High Gas Prices Spur Americans To Improvise, From Bus Rides To Toy Cars. "Long enamored with their cars, particularly less fuel-efficient SUVs and light trucks, Americans are seeking alternatives like public transit or staying close to home. As of May 18, Americans paid an average of $4.52 a gallon for regular gasoline, up from around $3 before the Iran war started, according to AAA. In an April 28 Ipsos poll published by the Washington Post and ABC News, 44% of Americans said they had cut back on driving." [Reuters, 5/19/26]

CNN - Memorial Day Sticker Shock: Gas Prices Near All-Time Highs. "Tens of millions of Americans hitting the road this Memorial Day weekend will face historically high gas prices. The war with Iran has destabilized the global energy system, pushing up pump prices across the country despite emergency steps from the Trump administration designed to limit the damage. The sticker shock on Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer driving season, adds to the cost-of-living frustrations that have soured voters on the Trump economy." [CNN, 5/20/26]

Axios - All 50 States Top $4 A Gallon Gas As Iran Impacts Linger. "All 50 states have average gas prices above $4 a gallon, AAA said Wednesday, with seven now topping $5 a gallon. Why it matters: As the war with Iran approaches the three-month mark, soaring fuel prices are costing Americans millions of dollars a day, crushing small business profits, and driving a surge in inflation. Driving the news: The national average now stands at $4.56 a gallon, AAA said." [Axios, 5/20/26]

Axios - Iran War Hits Small Business Hard. "Small business profits are sinking as owners get squeezed by rising labor costs and energy prices spiking from the Iran war." … "Small business profitability in April suffered its biggest decline in two years, falling 1.3%, according to the report." [Axios, 5/20/26]

CBS News - Summer Travelers Face "Vacation Inflation" As Airfare, Gas Prices Rise. "Americans with plans to travel for Memorial Day weekend or this summer are likely to face higher costs for everything from gas and airfare to activities and lodging." … "Driving may not save travelers money either: Gas prices have risen $1.42 per gallon from a year ago, according to AAA." … "Vacation-related costs continue to climb. Activities are up more than 5.5% from a year ago, lodging costs have risen 4.3% and dining out prices are up more than 3.6%, according to NerdWallet." [CBS News, 5/20/26]

NBC News - Walmart Signals It May Raise Prices In Response To Soaring Fuel Costs. "Walmart signaled Thursday that it may raise retail prices in the coming months to compensate for soaring fuel costs as a result of the Iran war. The big-box retailer reported overall positive first-quarter earnings. Revenue rose 7.3% to $177.8 billion, and U.S. same-store sales grew 4.1%, thanks in part to e-commerce and revenue from membership fees. But spiking fuel prices took a big bite out of Walmart's profits." [NBC News, 5/21/26]

USA Today - Gas Could Hit $4.80 A Gallon, Squeezing Summer Travel Plans, Analyst Predicts. "The average price of a gallon of gas in the United States could soon reach $4.80 per gallon, one fuel industry analyst said." … "The prediction comes as the average price of gas rose to $4.55 per gallon on May 20, up from an average of $4.04 one month ago on April 20, according to the AAA Auto Club." [USA Today, 5/20/26]

Scripps News - Memorial Day Barbecues To Cost More This Year As Food, Gas Prices Surge. "Staying home for Memorial Day weekend is still going to cost you this year. That's according to a new analysis shared exclusively with Scripps News that found barbecue staples like burgers, hot dogs and watermelon are up an average of 13% in 2026 compared to last year. Some products have seen even greater increases; the average cost of six ears of yellow corn today is $5.90 compared to $2.97 last year, the analysis shows - a 98% increase." [Scripps News, 5/21/26]

The Guardian - Diesel Prices Squeeze US Farmers 'Barely Getting By' Amid Tariffs And Drought. "It has been a tough few years for American farmers. Squeezed last year by tariffs, they lost an estimated $34.6bn when former trade partners stopped buying. Now, the war with Iran has not only depleted crucial fertilizer stores but has also driven diesel fuel up to record prices. Like the trucking industry, agriculture relies heavily on diesel to run machinery, as diesel-powered engines are more fuel efficient than gasoline-powered ones. Worst of all, the price increase is taking place during the spring planting season." [The Guardian, 5/7/26]

Fortune - Tariffs, War, And Now A Historic Drought Have Converged Into A 'Perfect Storm' For U.S. Farmers And Food Prices. "American farmers entered the spring planting season knowing fertilizer would be more expensive, fuel would be costly, and labor would be short. With the growing season now in full swing, they can add a record-setting drought and scarce water supplies to that list of headaches. An overlapping series of headwinds-ranging from climate to economics and geopolitics-have made farming in the U.S. an exceptionally brutal profession in recent months. The headaches started last year when the Trump administration's sweeping tariff regime warped the country's trade policy, raising input costs for farmers and crowding out international buyers. This year, the war in the Middle East has caused the global fuel and fertilizer trade to sputter, further squeezing farmers' margins." [Fortune, 4/21/26]

STORIES FROM ACROSS THE NATION:

Albany Times Union - What Capital Region Residents Are Doing To Afford Higher Gas Prices. "Around every other day, New Scotland resident Nick Yetto ventures out to his lawn to harvest dandelions. He then tosses the yellow flower, which comes with a taste he describes as similar to arugula, into a salad. Consuming dandelions is not new - it was fairly common in the U.S. . Yetto started making the dish this spring when gas prices started to surge amid heightened conflict in the Middle East, resulting in the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where about one-fifth of the world's traded oil normally flows." [Albany Times Union, 5/19/26]

Axios - Memorial Day Travel Dips In Virginia Amid Higher Gas Prices. "Fewer Virginians are expected to travel for Memorial Day this year, according to AAA. Why it matters: "Economic uncertainty" and surging gas prices will keep thousands at home for the unofficial start of summer travel, AAA says." [Axios, 5/21/26]

CBS News - Philadelphia-Area Drivers Reckon With Surging Gas Prices: "Nothing But An Upward Trajectory" "MD drives for Uber in the Philadelphia area. A few months ago, he said, he paid about $40 to fill up his tank. It's $70 now, he said. As he filled up his tank in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, Tuesday, he said he can only continue for two to three months longer if gas prices stay this high." … "'I'm trying not to drive as much because I can take SEPTA and I can walk,' Darlene Jackson said. 'If the prices continue to go up, we're going to have to limit driving,' Shannon Thomas said." [CBS News, 5/12/26]

Cleveland.com - Iran War Hits Ohio Farmers With Rising Fertilizer, Fuel Costs. "The war in Iran is hitting Ohio farms, adding to financial pressure to an already strained agricultural community. Farmers were already challenged, hit hard by trade tensions with China sparked by President Donald Trump's tariffs. But the war has intensified those challenges, driving up the price of fuel and fertilizer." [Cleveland.com, 5/3/26]

Click Orlando - Fluctuating Gas Prices Leave Some Florida Drivers Running On Empty. "'There are some bills you cannot cut to survive,' Rinaldo Santos is having to adjust to his new normal, which includes searching for gas he can actually afford. 'This affects everything,' said Santos, pointing out that the high cost of gas also impacts how much people are able to spend on groceries. Gina Capoverde has had to completely redo her budget. 'Grocery store money, fun money that we used to have a little extra to do whatever, now it's just going toward gas,' she explained." [Click Orlando, 5/14/26]

CW 33-Dallas - Fort Worth Gas Prices Soar Ahead Of Memorial Day. "Dallas-Fort Worth area drivers are facing significantly higher costs at the pump as Memorial Day weekend approaches. As of May 21, gas prices in both Dallas and Fort Worth are averaging $4.07 per gallon." … "The rising costs are impacting commuters, with 61% of those surveyed stating they fear they will not be able to afford gas if prices continue to climb." [CW 33, 5/21/26]

Denver 7 - Colorado Drivers Adjust Habits As Gas Prices Continue To Increase Heading Into Summer Travel Season. "For people like Aurora Phlegar, who recently moved to Denver from Virginia, the higher gas prices are already changing her daily habits. 'I am definitely walking more and trying to strategize how I can drive less and only going grocery shopping once a week and really choosing where I go,' Phlegar said. She added that the farther she drove west on her move from Virginia to Colorado, the more expensive gas prices have become." [Denver 7, 5/20/26]

Fox 13 Now - Rising Gas Prices Squeeze Utah Drivers Ahead Of Summer Travel. "Drivers in Utah are feeling the cost of rising gas prices weighing heavily on their wallets, and with summer travel on the horizon, the climbing costs are on people's minds. "I really just came in today and was like, ' Oh my gosh.' I was just shocked," said Tate Clarke, who lives in Riverdale. She watched the numbers race on the gas pump while filing her tank in Ogden on Tuesday. "It's like, man, that was a few hours of work down the drain." [Fox 13 Now, 5/20/26]

Fox 47 News - Is The Cost Of Gas Changing Your Summer Plans? "But with high prices at the pump, traveling across the state is a challenge - even getting to work can be tough. 'It's bad right now... I don't see any signs of relief. I don't know when it's coming,' Greg Mark said." … "Smith said what used to be a $70 trip to Mackinaw has now doubled. 'It's pretty outrageous for the average citizen that is just trying to make ends meet,' Smith said." [Fox 47 News, 5/20/26]

KOAT - New Mexico Gas Prices Remain High Ahead Of Memorial Day Weekend. "Gas prices have reached their highest level in nearly four years, marking the highest costs at the pump since July 2022. With one of the busiest travel weekends of the year approaching, many drivers are reworking their budgets to fill up before hitting the road." … "Dean Vaughn is among those canceling trips due to the costs. 'I was going to go up to Santa Fe and visit my dad's grave. But I'm not, just too much money, man. It's too much money,' Vaughn said." [KOAT, 5/19/26]

LA Times - Soaring Gas Prices Are Hitting Everyone, Even Farmers Market Vendors. "Customers and business owners have felt the brunt of soaring fuel prices, a commodity that has grown pricier since the U.S. launched a war against Iran. Gas prices have shot up by more than 50%, according to some metrics, and airline ticket prices over the last two months have been surging at major airports while smaller hubs, like Hollywood Burbank, are canceling trips altogether. But the sting hasn't been felt only at major industries. Farmers markets - those humble and charming throwbacks to a bygone era - are also struggling with higher fuel prices, after weathering the economic calamities of the pandemic and other misfortunes." [LA Times, 5/9/26]

News From The States - North Carolina Truckers, Drivers Feel Pain Of Iran War Gas Hikes. "For Etienne Hightower, rising gas prices, higher cost of living for employees and mercurial tariffs have meant a trucking business that is running on fumes. 'Nobody wants to pay us more to haul stuff, yet all my expenses are going up,' said Hightower, the CEO of Believers Trucking. 'Right now, I'm fighting to maintain my staff, their quality of life, and I want to give them more.'" [News From The States, 5/7/26]

Star Tribune - Highest Gas Prices In 4 Years Force Minnesotans To Rethink The Commute - If They Can. "Joe Ricchio cut back on driving beyond his 25-mile commute. His family is opting for walkable errands and activities, he said, and reworking travel plans to reduce costs where they can. But when it comes to commuting, there's far less wiggle room. 'It's not like you just can't go into work,' the 32-year-old said. 'So you've just kind of got to stick it out.' Unleaded gas hit $4 a gallon in the Twin Cities in April, the highest since 2022, and has continued to rise amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran." [Star Tribune, 5/20/26]

The News & Observer - How 'Ridiculous' Gas And Diesel Prices Are Affecting NC Farmers. "North Carolina drivers have faced higher gas prices for months. Those who need diesel have had to deal with even greater costs. Farmers who sell produce at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh are among those paying more for fuel since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February." [The News & Observer, 4/27/26]

Texas Tribune - What Soaring Gas Prices Mean For Texas And How Long It Could Take For Costs To Come Down. "Texas fuel prices have risen significantly since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran began on Feb. 28, which led to Iran closing a key international shipping lane for oil and gas, the Strait of Hormuz. The average price for a gallon of gas in Texas, which was $2.55 in early February, surged by nearly two dollars to $4.52 on Monday, according to the AAA." [Texas Tribune, 5/19/26]

WBAY - Diesel And Fertilizer Prices Strain Wisconsin Farmers Amid Iran War. "Higher fuel prices are adding to an already-expensive growing season for Wisconsin farmers, affecting nearly every part of the job from running equipment to getting crops in the ground. At Skenandore Farm in Seymour, the work hasn't slowed down, but the cost of doing it has gone up. With diesel and fertilizer prices rising, some Wisconsin farmers say the war in Iran is adding new pressure to an already tough economy. 'The price of diesel is at a record high. It's something that affects every farmer in the area, especially at this time when everyone is out planting and getting crops in the ground,' said Isaiah Skenandore, owner of Skenandore Farm." [WBAY, 5/15/26]

WDET - The Metro: Running Near Empty. How Gas Prices Are Hurting Local Businesses. "For the small businesses that anchor metro Detroit, this is one more strain on top of an already heavy stack. Corner stores and landscapers are absorbing higher fuel costs to stay competitive. Restaurants are closing, and analysts say rising gas prices and declining consumer confidence are likely to accelerate the trend. All of this comes after months of tariffs, rising healthcare premiums, and an unsettled workforce." [WDET, 5/5/26]

WOWT - 'That Hurts': Gas Prices Continue To Climb Ahead Of Memorial Day Weekend. "Peter Naylor of Lansing, Michigan, said he is not happy about how much he is paying for gas. 'I look at what I'm paying for gas and that hurts,' he said. James Long said he is cutting back on driving and will miss time with his family. 'We got a family reunion coming up. I probably won't go there,' he said. 'You know, just, you got to do what you got to do to live.' Long said gas prices are not cooperating with what he wants to do." [WOWT, 5/20/26]

WVLT - Pain At The Pump: Tennessee Gas Prices Spike, Causing Small Businesses To Feel The Strain. "Gas prices in Tennessee have spiked more than $1 since last month, and small businesses that make deliveries are feeling the strain. Courtney Thomas, owner of Courtney's Cakes, said higher gas prices are making deliveries more expensive." … "Thomas has operated the business for 12 years and opened a storefront three years ago. She said costs have increased during that time." [WVLT, 4/1/26]

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