President Donald Trump blamed his party's losses in the midterm elections on high gas prices, but insisted voters agree with him on the Iran war that analysts have said is one of the main causes of the spike at the pump.
"I don't think it's the war, I think it's the gasoline prices," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business on Tuesday, Nov. 3
as election results showing Republican losses were coming in."People agree with what I'm doing on Iran but they really, probably weren't willing to do the short-term consequence of paying more for gasoline," Trump said. "And, you know, I understand that. I don't agree with it and I would say to people, 'you know it's a short term problem but for long term gain.'"
Voters consistently said in polls leading
up to the election that gas prices were top of mind as they casted their ballots. Trump went into election day with higher gas prices than any of his recent predecessors. He promised in multiple campaign rallies leading up to the election that the prices would drop soon, even as AAA's average national gas price has been above $4 per gallon since April.
"By the way, when that [Iran] war ends, you're gonna see gasoline coming down," Trump said at a Nov. 1 campaign rally in Iowa, where Republican Senate nominee Ashley Hinson lost to Democratic Senate nominee Josh Turek.
The average price of gas in the United States on Wednesday, Nov. 4 was $4.12, according to AAA. That's up from an average of $3.05 on Nov. 4, 2025, the group said.
The USA TODAY Cars Team looked at polling on gas prices before the election and where things stand at the pump in the biggest battleground states that decided control of both Congressional houses.
How did gas prices affect Trump's approval ratings?
Seventy-six percent of registered U.S. voters disapproved of Trump's handling of gas prices, while only 20% approved, according to an Oct. 8 poll from Navigator Research.
The poll also showed that 73% of registered voters disapproved of Trump's handling of inflation and the cost of living, while only 23% approved. In the poll, 62% of registered voters said they disapproved of how Trump is handling his job as president, while only 36% approved.
"President Trump’s approval ratings have hit all-time lows in Navigator tracking," the group said. "Majorities disapprove of Trump’s handling of gas prices, inflation and the cost of living, and foreign policy."
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said in a Nov. 2 blog post that gas prices fell slightly ahead of Election Day on Nov. 3, but they remain largely contingent on developments in the U.S.-Iran war.
"Average gasoline prices fell in nearly every state over the last week, while diesel declined in most, as refinery maintenance wraps up and seasonal demand continues to fade with the onset of cooler weather," De Haan wrote. "Whether new attacks occur or a truce takes hold around the Strait of Hormuz, along with continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries, will likely dictate where prices head as we move closer to the holidays," he wrote.
What were drivers paying at the pump in the biggest battleground states?
Democratic candidates won in every battleground state that political analysts said would likely determine control of the chamber next year. They also won in some surprising places, like South Carolina, and Mississippi remains too close to call.
Here's how much drivers in those battleground states are paying for gas a day after Election Day and what the results were in those races:
Michigan
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2026: $4.40
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2025: $3.06
What was the result: Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El Sayed defeated Republican nominee Mike Rogers, and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson defeated Republican John James.
Texas
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2026: $3.60
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2025: $2.58
What was the result: Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico defeated Republican nominee Ken Paxton, and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott.
Maine
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2026: $4.24
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2025: $3.02
What was the result: Incumbent Senator Susan Collins was defeated by Democratic nominee Troy Jackson.
Ohio
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2026: $4.02
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2025: $3.03
What was the result: Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown defeated incumbent Sen. Jon Husted and Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Amy Acton, defeated Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy.
Kansas
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2026: $3.84
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2025: $2.72
What was the result: Democrats haven't won a Senate race in Kansas since 1932, but the party's nominee Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Sen. Roger Marshall.
Alaska
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2026: $4.72
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2025: $3.81
What was the result: The Alaska Senate race has not yet been called, but Democratic nominee former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola was narrowly leading incumbent U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 4, according to USA TODAY's election tracker.
Iowa
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2026: $3.97
Average gas price on Nov. 4, 2025: $2.73
Why it's in play this year: Democrats haven't won an Iowa Senate seat since 2008, but the party's nominee, Josh Turek, defeated Republican Ashley Hinson.
Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at klaing@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump blames midterms on gas prices, but polls showed warning signs
