Gas prices have surged sharply as the fallout from the U.S.-Iran war adds pressure on American households ahead of the midterm elections. AAA said Friday that the national average price for regular gasoline reached $4.48 a gallon, up about 17 cents in a week, 40 cents in a month and more than $1.27 from a year ago.
President Donald Trump stirred criticism by dismissing the higher fuel costs as a “very cheap price” compared with the cost of war with Iran. He made the comments at a recent rally in North Carolina, where he argued that stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons justified the conflict and downplayed the impact of rising gas prices.
Voters interviewed on the ground, including delivery workers, small-business owners and teachers, said the higher prices are putting real strain on working families. Some said the remarks appeared to ignore the daily burden of paying for both fuel and groceries, especially among lower-income voters who once supported Trump.
Political analysts say gasoline prices and broader inflation are shaping the midterm race as early voting gets underway. With economic frustration growing, Republicans face added pressure, while Democrats and independent voters could be more likely to turn out in November.
Source:ABC7
