Gasoline Hits $4.29 as Trump Pushes Farm Fuel Aid
With midterms next week, the president links high pump costs to the ongoing Iran conflict and touts an $8 billion relief package for agricultural workers.
By Petra Murphy ·
The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline reached $4.29 on Monday. This marks a sharp increase from the $2.98 average recorded before the war with Iran began. The jump in costs comes just days before the midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
Diesel prices have seen an even steeper climb. The national average now sits at $6.35 a gallon. This figure is up from $3.76 in February. Diesel recently surpassed the $6 mark last month, setting a record high before stabilizing slightly.
President Donald Trump has faced growing pressure to address these energy costs. Low gas prices were a central promise during his 2026 presidential campaign. The conflict with Iran, which began nearly eight months ago, has disrupted oil markets and raised household expenses for many American voters.
At a campaign rally in Georgia over the weekend, Trump framed the high oil prices as a benefit for the United States. "We're making a freaking fortune," he told supporters. He described the war as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
The president's stance on energy costs has evolved since the conflict started. In his February State of the Union address, he noted that gasoline was below $2.30 a gallon in most states. By early summer, however, he complained that retailers were not lowering pump prices fast enough despite falling crude oil costs.
In September, Trump suggested that oil prices would not drop until after the midterm vote. "Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward," he stated. He argued that the current higher costs were a small price to pay for the security gains achieved in the region.
This month, the administration announced a deal to purchase Russian diesel. This move reversed years of U.S. pressure on Moscow related to the war in Ukraine. Trump also claimed the U.S. retained control of the Strait of Hormuz, although traffic through the waterway remains lower than pre-war levels.
The White House introduced a harvest fuel relief program to help offset steep diesel costs. The initiative aims to provide $8 billion in support for farmers. At a rally in Kansas, Trump said, "When Republicans win, we will pass even more funding for our farmers."
Voters face a difficult choice on Election Day. Cost of living concerns, driven largely by energy prices, are at the top of many minds. The conflict in Iran continues to influence global oil markets, keeping prices volatile as the campaign enters its final week.
