Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) took a sharp jab at President Donald Trump on Saturday as gas prices continued to climb amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The trigger? California's average gas price has officially breached the $6 per gallon mark, hitting $6.101 on Sunday, according to the American Automobile Association.
In a post on X, Newsom's official press office didn't hold back. It said the war in Iran has "driven U.S. gas prices up 44% to a four-year high." The national average sits at $4.446 per gallon—still below the May 2022 peak of $4.545, but painfully high for drivers. The post added: "61 days in, the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, oil keeps climbing, and families have already paid over $29 BILLION MORE at the pump nationwide."
The message was blunt: "Every more expensive fill-up, grocery run, and flight is a Trump Iran war tax." It also accused the administration of having no plan to bring prices down.
Trump, meanwhile, has launched "Project Freedom," an initiative to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz—currently under a U.S.-led blockade—as a "humanitarian gesture" for non-warring countries. He's also reviewing a new proposal from Iran to end the conflict, though he expressed doubt it would meet his expectations.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy offered a glimmer of hope: "Once the Strait opens, you'll see prices come down, come down immediately."
The fuel crisis is hitting airlines hard. Budget carrier Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. (OTC: FLYYQ) ceased operations on Saturday after creditors refused to back a government rescue plan. Rising fuel costs are also squeezing other low-cost airlines like Frontier Group Holdings Inc. (ULCC) and Avelo, which are reportedly seeking a $2.5 billion relief package to offset expenses.
