Is Trump gaslighting on $1.99 per gallon gas prices?
President Donald Trump wants low gas prices — $1.99 per gallon to be exact. In a press conference Wednesday, July 9, Trump claimed several states are already seeing $1.99 prices at the pump.
But while the cost per gallon is falling in some regions, it remains steadily above the $2 mark across all 50 states.
“There’s two states, three states that were selling gasoline at $1.99. You haven’t seen that for a long time,” Trump said.
Trump did not cite any specific states. In May, he made similar false claims about five states having $1.99 gas prices. While gas price data does not back up Trump’s statements, it’s clear that lower fuel costs are a goal of the administration. After campaigning against inflation, Trump has encouraged the oil and gas industry to drill new wells, opening up more leasing on federal land in the newly signed “Big, Beautiful Bill.” However, gas prices have not moved significantly since January.
How expensive is gasoline right now?
As of Thursday, July 10, the average gas prices in the U.S. range from $2.71 in Mississippi to $4.54 in California, according to data from the American Automobile Association. The lowest prices in any state hovered around $2.30 per gallon.
Only one gas station in the U.S. has $1.99 gas, according to GasBuddy, a website that compiles prices to help consumers find the best deal. The Hill Country Velocity in Ingram, Texas charged $1.99 per gallon Thursday. Ingram is right nextdoor to Kerrville, Texas along the Guadalupe River, which surged by 26 feet and claimed the lives of at least 120 people in the early hours of Friday, July 4.
An employee of the gas station told Straight Arrow News that the price was a limited-time offer, until 5 p.m., to help the community affected by deadly floods. GasBuddy shows that on Wednesday, when Trump made his comments, the station charged $2.79 per gallon of regular gasoline.
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Average gas prices in the U.S. range from $2.71 per gallon in Mississippi to $4.54 in California, according to data from the American Automobile Association.
Where are gas prices trending?
Average gas prices are down more than 30 cents per gallon from a year ago. But since Trump took office, the average national cost of gasoline has remained nearly flat, with a 0.1% increase from Monday, Jan. 20 to Monday, July 7, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That varies by region: The Midwest has seen declining prices, while prices on the West Coast are increasing.
The White House highlighted falling gas prices in an article posted Monday. The article cites local news reports from around the country. They include two reports from Ohio, where gas prices have fallen by 7.3% — about 23 cents per gallon — since January 20. That price drop marked the steepest decline in the nation, according to EIA data. Ohio’s gas prices are now averaging $2.85 per gallon.
Is $1.99 per gallon gas possible?
The last time the national average gas price dipped below $2 per gallon was in June 2020. At that time, crude oil from America’s most productive oilfield, the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico, was trading at $38 per barrel. Now, a barrel of oil from the Permian costs more than $66. While lower gas prices would help consumers, energy analysts warn that low prices will make it harder for oil companies to turn a profit and discourage them from drilling new wells.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
