Karoline Leavitt Criticized for Claiming Trump Lowered Gas Prices Amid Iran War Surge
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt faced intense backlash after claiming that President Donald Trump’s administration has successfully lowered gas prices, a statement contradicting current economic realities. During a press briefing alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Leavitt defended rising fuel costs as temporary pain resulting from the ongoing war with Iran, aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation. She asserted that gas prices had decreased over the past year under Trump’s leadership. However, data shows that while prices were stable in 2025, they surged by over $1 per gallon following the US-Israel military intervention in February 2026, which disrupted oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Critics, including prominent Democratic politicians and commentators, accused Leavitt of gaslighting the American public. Figures such as Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Ilhan Omar highlighted that gas prices are at multi-year highs, directly attributing the spike to the administration's foreign policy choices. The controversy underscores the political tension surrounding energy costs and the strategic consequences of the conflict in the Middle East.
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Karoline Leavitt Criticized for Claiming Trump Lowered Gas Prices Amid Iran War Surge
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt faced intense backlash after claiming that President Donald Trump’s administration has successfully lowered gas prices, a statement contradicting current economic realities. During a press briefing alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Leavitt defended rising fuel costs as temporary pain resulting from the ongoing war with Iran, aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation. She asserted that gas prices had decreased over the past year under Trump’s leadership. However, data shows that while prices were stable in 2025, they surged by over $1 per gallon following the US-Israel military intervention in February 2026, which disrupted oil traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Critics, including prominent Democratic politicians and commentators, accused Leavitt of gaslighting the American public. Figures such as Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Ilhan Omar highlighted that gas prices are at multi-year highs, directly attributing the spike to the administration's foreign policy choices. The controversy underscores the political tension surrounding energy costs and the strategic consequences of the conflict in the Middle East.
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