‘Americans Can't Afford Trump Presidency’: Why Republicans Are A Worried Lot Ahead Of November Midterms

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 10:22 IST

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Sunday warned that it might not be until 2027 before US gas prices come back under $3 a gallon.

US-Iran War: With US midterm elections looming in November, concerns are mounting within Republicans over persistently high fuel costs, as the Trump administration signals that relief at the fuel pump may still be far off.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Sunday warned that it might not be until 2027 before US gas prices come back under $3 a gallon. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union with Jake Tapper, the Energy Secretary acknowledged that gasoline prices-currently hovering above $3 per gallon- could remain elevated for months.

“Gas below $3 a gallon could happen later this ​year, that might not happen until next year. But prices have likely peaked, and ​they’ll start going down. Certainly with the ⁠resolution of this conflict, you’ll see prices go down," Wright told the news outlet.

Wright also sought to reframe the benchmark itself, arguing that $3-per-gallon petrol represents genuine value in historical terms. “Under $3 a gallon is pretty tremendous in inflation-adjusted terms," he said. “We’ll get back there for sure," he added.

Wright further pointed out that, even at their recent peak, prices remain below the highs recorded during the Biden administration. The costliest point of the current crisis came earlier this month, when the national average reached $4.16 per gallon. As of Sunday, that figure had eased slightly to $4.05, according to data from AAA — still nearly a dollar above the $3.16 average recorded a year ago.

Trump administration officials have offered differing views on ​how gas prices may shift. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week predicted gas prices would fall to the $3 ​per gallon range. Trump himself has said that gas prices may remain elevated until November.

The Energy Secretary’s remarks came ahead of November’s midterm elections, where the Republican Party is seeking to defend slim majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives. Gas prices have risen during the US and Israeli war on Iran and ‌Iranian attacks on nearby countries, creating political headwinds for Trump and his Republican Party.

During campaigning for 2024 Presidential elections, Trump made promises to lower gasoline prices below $2 a gallon.

“Energy is going to bring us back," he had said in a September 2024 campaign speech. “That means we’re going down and getting gasoline below $2 a gallon, bring down the price of everything from electricity rates to groceries, air fares, and housing costs," he had said.

US gasoline prices have soared after Iran responded to attacks by the US and Israel by twice closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world’s petroleum and oil supply transits.

Trump then responded to Iran’s control of the strait by ordering a US naval blockade of Iranian ships. On Sunday, US forces fired on and then seized an Iran-flagged container ship that tried to run the blockade.

They were at $2.98 a gallon on average in the days before the Iran war and climbed to $3.98 a gallon on average in late March. US gasoline price averages stabilised at more than $4 a gallon in April, and the war has been expected to lead to higher costs of other goods and services.

News world ‘Americans Can't Afford Trump Presidency’: Why Republicans Are A Worried Lot Ahead Of November Midterms

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