Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) didn't mince words when he took to X on Saturday to slam President Donald Trump's Iran war, arguing that the conflict is not just a foreign policy disaster but a direct hit on Americans' wallets. With Labor Day weekend in full swing, Sanders pointed to the national average gas price of $4.15 as proof that the war is making life more expensive at home.
"Not only has Trump's illegal and disastrous war in Iran resulted in thousands of casualties, it is wreaking havoc on the economy," Sanders wrote. He emphasized the historic nature of the price spike: "The national average gas price has never been above $4 a gallon on Labor Day Weekend. Today, it's $4.15." His message was blunt: "We must end this war NOW."
Sanders isn't alone in drawing a straight line from the White House's policies to the pain at the pump. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) echoed the sentiment, framing the issue in simple terms: "Want lower gas prices? → End Trump's war in Iran. Want lower grocery prices? → Stop Trump's illegal tariffs. Want lower health care costs? → Reverse Trump's health care cuts."
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) chimed in, saying "record high gas prices" are hurting Arizonans this holiday weekend. He blamed Trump's Iran war for the rising costs at both the gas station and the grocery store, adding that Trump "started a war with Iran with zero plan and no way out."
The criticism isn't limited to senators. On Friday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) took aim at Vice President JD Vance over diesel prices that have hit a record $5.82 a gallon. Pritzker mocked the administration's messaging, saying, "This administration wants you to be thankful they haven't screwed you worse."
The numbers back up the outrage. According to AAA, the national average price for a gallon of gas surged to $4.14 on Saturday, up from $4.08 just a week earlier and a stark contrast to the $3.20 average from a year ago. That's a nearly 30% jump in 12 months, and it's hitting families right as they hit the road for the long weekend.
But here's a twist: some analysts think relief might be on the way, at least temporarily. Last month, GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan predicted that the national average could fall below $4 per gallon by Labor Day. His reasoning? Uncertainty from the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been rattling global oil supplies, but WTI crude had already dipped below $80 per barrel. Plus, some states are switching to winter gasoline earlier than usual, thanks to an EPA waiver, which typically brings prices down.
De Haan, however, added a cautionary note: even if prices do drop below that psychological $4 mark, they could still be the most expensive ever for this time of year. So while the trend might be your friend, don't expect to feel like you're back in 2020 anytime soon.
For now, the political battle over gas prices is heating up as much as the summer sun. Democrats are using the numbers to hammer the administration, and with midterm elections looming, every cent at the pump could carry political weight. Whether the war ends, tariffs get lifted, or prices ease on their own, one thing is clear: Americans are feeling the squeeze, and they're hearing plenty of explanations for why.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by MarketDash editors.
