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Trump defends rising gas prices as inexpensive cost for Iran conflict

Voter frustration grows as national fuel prices reach $4.48 per gallon

The short version

  • U.S. gas prices reached a national average of $4.48 per gallon on Friday, up $1.27 from a year ago.[PBS NewsHour]
  • President Donald Trump defended the increases during a campaign stop, calling higher fuel costs an inexpensive price to pay to stop Iran's nuclear program.[PBS NewsHour]
  • A recent Fox News survey indicates 61% of voters view gas prices as a major household problem, and 63% say the administration has hurt the economy.[PBS NewsHour]

Key facts

  • The national average for a gallon of gas reached $4.48 on Friday, rising 17 cents in a week and $1.27 from a year prior.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News]
  • President Donald Trump characterized higher gas prices as a very inexpensive price to pay to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News]
  • In a Fox News poll, 61% of voters called gas prices a major issue for their household, compared with 48% two years prior.[PBS NewsHour · ABC News]
  • According to polling, nearly two-thirds of voters (63%) believe the administration has made the economy worse, including one-quarter of Republicans.[PBS NewsHour]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.