President Donald Trump said Sunday that gas prices could be higher by the time the midterm election arrives in November, even as he also left room for the numbers to be about the same.
Speaking by phone with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo, Trump acknowledged prices “could be” lower, “or the same, or maybe a little bit higher,” but argued they “should be around the same,” pointing to oil and gas staying at an elevated level as the Iran war continues.
Misryoum newsroom reported that the backdrop for that uncertainty is a global jump in oil prices over recent weeks. According to Misryoum reporting, conflict and instability in the Middle East—especially around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz—has injected fresh risk into energy markets, reviving fears that shipments could be disrupted. Gasoline prices, in turn, followed that pattern in multiple regions as traders priced in higher transportation and refining costs, tied to concerns about interruptions in supply. Seasonal demand and refinery constraints also remain part of the mix, alongside broad market linkages that tend to transmit crude increases into fuel costs fairly quickly.
During the interview, Bartiromo pressed for details on what the U.S. is doing to address high gas prices as the midterms loom. Misryoum editorial desk noted that Republicans face an increasingly difficult election, with Democrats aiming to potentially take not only the House but also the Senate. Instead of focusing closely on gas-price measures, Trump shifted toward Operation Epic Fury, framing it as ensuring Iran does not achieve a nuclear weapon—an objective he has repeatedly said should not come with limits on cost.
Trump insisted the situation is nearing an end, telling Bartiromo, “I think this won’t be that much longer. They’re wiped out, Maria,” adding that “you don’t get a fair shake” and discussing the need for “a free and fair press.” He also raised his views on how military reporting and commentary relate to the situation, though the thread quickly tied back to his broader argument about Iran and nuclear capability.
When Bartiromo pressed whether a decision to blockade the Strait of Hormuz would help reduce oil and gas prices, Trump said the price would eventually fall, but “might not happen initially.” He also linked his comments to stock-market performance, mentioning the Dow hitting 50,000 and the S&P reaching 7,000 in what he described as his early period in office. He then turned again to gas prices and his view that even if they rose as he expected, the administration has to prevent a nuclear weapon—tying that back to his depiction of Iran’s leadership and intentions.
Misryoum newsroom reported that Vice President JD Vance announced Saturday that marathon negotiations with Iranian officials in Pakistan concluded without an agreement, citing Iran’s refusal to commit to abandoning its nuclear weapons program. Shortly after, Trump posted on social media Sunday that he had instructed the U.S. Navy to blockade “any and all ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz” and to interdict vessels in international waters that had paid what he described as an “illegal toll” to Iran. He accused Tehran of laying mines and extorting global shipping in the narrow waterway, warning that “other countries” would be involved alongside the U.S.
Outside the politics, price-watch numbers are moving in small increments. According to Misryoum editorial team, AAA puts the national average for gas at $4.125 a gallon for regular and just over $5 for premium. That’s a .01 cent decline from yesterday for both categories, but still up by the same amount from last week. A month ago, regular averaged $3.598 and premium was $4.467, while a year ago regular cost $3.196 and premium was just over $4. Someone nearby in a station lot—there was that faint smell of gasoline in the air—kept glancing at the pump as if the next digit mattered more than the conversation.
Public reaction remains split. Misryoum analysis indicates conservative commentator Bill Mitchell on X said it was “shocking” for claiming Iran is “winning,” while Senator Tim Kaine said Virginia families are feeling the weight of rising inflation caused by “Trump’s war of choice in the Middle East.” Senator Ron Johnson argued Iran’s regime shows the value of the Second Amendment and said he hopes the president succeeds, and Senator Christ Murphy called closing the Strait “as dumb as it sounds,” describing it as a “classic case” of one mistake leading to another. Misryoum newsroom reported these posts as posted on X on Saturday and Sunday.
As for what comes next, the administration’s public messaging stays tethered to military strategy and negotiations—even as the midterm calendar keeps pushing the gas-price question back into the foreground. And Trump’s “maybe” sounds simple, but it also leaves a lot hanging in the air, especially for drivers trying to calculate what they’ll pay by November—if prices decide to swing either way.