"It's a Little Glitch." — Trump, as Gas Hits $4 a Gallon

Across the country, Americans are paying more every time they fill up their tanks. Since U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities began in late February, gas prices have climbed steadily — from around $3.50 in March to $4.30 at its peak, about a dollar more than the same week the prior year, according to AAA data. By August, the national average was still sitting at $4.

Trump was asked about it in early March, when prices were already rising.

"I think it's fine. It's a little glitch."

$4 Gas Hits Families Hard

The average U.S. household has already paid an additional $610 in gasoline and diesel costs since the start of the war in Iran. By the end of 2026, Americans will have paid $140 billion in additional fuel costs, which is more than $1,000 per household.

Trump was asked directly on June 9 — the day before the government confirmed inflation had hit a three-year high — whether he thought gas prices were a problem.

"Gas prices are not very high, relatively speaking."

He Knew Prices Would Rise

Trump has acknowledged, on the record, that he went into the Iran conflict expecting higher gas prices. On March 9, he told reporters: "I knew oil prices would go up if I did this." On March 19, he described his thinking before the strikes: "I said: 'You know, if I do that, oil prices will go up. The economy will go down a little bit.'" 

On May 19, he called higher gas prices "peanuts" and thanked Americans for "putting up with it for a little while." In the same remarks, he said he had been prepared to accept a 25% stock market decline — a hit that would reach retirement accounts and savings across the country.

By April 30, with the national average at $4.30, a reporter named the price directly and asked what Trump had to say to the Americans paying it. 

"It's all right. Yes."

On August 14, with gas still at $4, he addressed it again at a public event: "You're at four dollars. It's okay. I mean, it's — I'm not. I'm not. I'll never apologize. I did the right thing."

"Not Even a Little Bit"

About a month before gas peaked at $4.30, a reporter asked Trump directly how much Americans' financial situations were motivating his Iran negotiations. He answered:

"Not even a little bit. I don't think about Americans' financial situation. I don't think about

anybody."

When the reporter followed up and asked about the pressure Americans were feeling on food prices, Trump interrupted before the question was finished:

Reporter: How concerned are you about Americans, how they're feeling about —

Trump: Every American —

Reporter: — what they're paying for food and —

Trump: Are you — listening to me? Every American understands.