Full Breakdown
Trump’s Claims on Gas Prices During State of the Union Address
2/26/2026, 3:40:48 AM
Overview of Gas Price Claims
During his State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, President Donald Trump made several assertions regarding gasoline prices, claiming they had significantly decreased compared to the previous administration. He stated that gas prices were "now below $2.30 a gallon in most states" and mentioned seeing prices as low as $1.85 per gallon during a recent visit to Iowa. However, these claims have been met with skepticism and fact-checking from various analysts and sources.
Current Gas Price Landscape
As of February 25, 2026, the national average price for gasoline is approximately $2.95 per gallon, with only eight out of 150,000 gas stations selling gas below $2.00. The lowest statewide average is reported at $2.33 in Oklahoma, while prices in some states have risen to over $4.60. In Iowa, the average gas price is $2.59, with the lowest prices recorded at $2.09 at a Costco in Ankeny. Trump's reference to $1.85 per gallon pertains specifically to E85 ethanol, which is sold at a lower price but is only available at select stations and for flex-fuel vehicles.
Analysis of Trump’s Statements
Trump's remarks about gas prices have been scrutinized for accuracy. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, clarified that while gas prices have decreased from their peak, the president's claims about widespread sub-$2 prices are misleading. De Haan emphasized that the current prices are influenced by global oil market dynamics and localized competitive pricing rather than any direct actions taken by the president.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics have pointed out that Trump's assertions may mislead the public regarding the actual state of gas prices. The average household energy bill has reportedly increased by 6.7% from 2024 to 2025, contradicting Trump's claims of decreasing energy costs. Additionally, the recent repeal of the endangerment finding, which underpins greenhouse gas regulations, is expected to lead to higher gas prices in the future.
Official Statements & Responses
In response to Trump's claims, analysts have reiterated that while gas prices are lower than during the peak of $5.01 per gallon in 2022, they are still not reflective of the president's statements. The current average price is a result of various factors, including increased oil production by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and seasonal demand fluctuations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There are discrepancies in reported gas prices across different sources. While Trump claims prices are below $2.30 in most states, data from AAA and GasBuddy indicate that this is not the case, with the national average nearing $3.00. Furthermore, while localized price drops have occurred, they do not represent a broader trend.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor — it was quite honestly a disaster — is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states. And in some places, $1.99 a gallon. And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline,” — President Donald Trump
- “only 8 out of roughly 150,000 gas stations nationwide are selling gasoline below $2 per gallon.” — Patrick De Haan, Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy
This analysis highlights the complexities surrounding gas prices and the potential implications of political rhetoric on public perception.
