California Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing back hard against critics of the state's gas tax, arguing that the real culprit behind high fuel prices is the Trump administration's handling of the Middle East.

On Monday, Newsom's press office took to X to call out the president directly. They shared a screenshot of Trump telling oil companies to lower prices, alongside a reminder of Trump's own words from March 12: "When oil prices go up, we make a lot of money." The implication is clear: the administration is profiting from the volatility.

The exchange came after Representative Vince Fong (R-CA) accused Newsom of saddling Californians with gas prices that are $2 above the national average. "55% of the cost of our gas already comes from state imposed taxes and mandates. And now, Newsom wants to raise taxes even more," Fong said.

Newsom's office fired back, explaining that the July 1 gas tax adjustment is not a new tax hike but a routine, automatic increase required by state law. "The July 1 state gas tax adjustment is REQUIRED by existing state law," the press office wrote. They noted that the mechanism was enacted in 2017 and upheld by voters in 2018—both before Newsom took office. The adjustment amounts to just two cents per gallon this year.

Then came the broader point: "The GOP-enabled Iran war has now forced a growing $63 billion in extra fuel costs on Americans nationwide — that $243.14 per California household so far this year." In other words, Newsom is arguing that the real driver of high prices isn't California's gas tax but geopolitical turmoil linked to Trump's policies.

The timing is notable. Gas prices have been climbing in several states, with some seeing increases of nearly $1 per gallon above spot prices. Florida, Colorado, and Michigan have all experienced sharp upticks. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan called the hikes "unwarranted and ridiculous" ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, noting that prices feel "lofty" even after accounting for taxes and other costs.

So, is Newsom's defense politically convenient? Sure. But he's also pointing to a real economic force: when geopolitical tensions disrupt oil markets, prices at the pump rise everywhere—and California's gas tax, while a factor, is only part of the story. The debate over who's responsible for high gas prices is unlikely to cool down anytime soon, especially with summer driving season in full swing.