President Trump Blames Ukraine and California for Rising Gas Prices

President Donald Trump is drawing criticism after attributing the nation’s high gas prices to factors unrelated to his ongoing war with Iran. Despite Americans paying more than a dollar extra per gallon compared to when he took office last year, Trump claimed in a Truth Social post that Ukraine’s attacks on Russian refineries and refinery closures in California are the real culprits behind soaring fuel costs.

Trump’s Claims on Gas Price Drivers

On Monday, President Trump dismissed the Strait of Hormuz as the main cause of rising gasoline prices, stating on Truth Social: “What’s driving up Gasoline is no longer the Strait of Hormuz, because Record Numbers of Barrels are coming out now on an almost daily basis, but the word, ‘Refineries,’ where Russia’s are being blown up by Ukraine, and where ours are being closed up, in Blue States, like California, by the Dumocrats.” The 80-year-old president’s comments come as he faces potential losses for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections.

Reality of the Supply Chain Disruptions

Contrary to Trump’s claims, the international supply bottleneck caused by his war with Iran, launched in February, remains a key factor driving oil prices to historic highs. While crude oil exports from the Middle East have on some days surpassed pre-war levels, ongoing threats of further Iranian attacks keep prices elevated. These threats have led to increased fees for tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz and surged insurance costs, worsening supply chain costs.

Refinery Issues and Geographic Realities

A global refining capacity shortage is indeed pushing gas prices higher, but California’s refinery closures are not the main factor. Most U.S. refining capacity is located in Republican-led states like Texas and Louisiana. Instead, the real disruptions stem from damaged refineries in the Middle East due to Trump’s war with Iran and Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian facilities as Russia defends itself against Vladimir Putin’s invasion, according to multiple reports.

Public Reaction and Voter Frustration

Many Americans, including loyal Trump voters, are expressing frustration over rising fuel costs. In Alaska, where gas prices have exceeded $5 a gallon, voters told MS NOW they are feeling the financial pinch. Three-time Trump voter and paralegal Gayle Michaelson said, “I would tell him what he initially told the voters is BS—that these prices weren’t supposed to be so high—and look what’s happened.” Trucker Meffy Tagalu also urged for an end to the war, stating, “We need to get out of that war and fix all the prices. You know, we’re hurting really bad.”

With the midterms approaching, the president’s attempt to deflect blame onto Ukraine and California refineries may do little to quell voter dissatisfaction over rising gas prices.