In a rare moment of national consensus that defies modern political gravity, President Donald Trump is facing a historic wave of public backlash over skyrocketing fuel costs. According to CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten, more Americans currently hold Trump accountable for the pain at the pump than his three immediate predecessors, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.
The numbers tell a staggering story of a “trifecta” of blame. Following the February 28 launch of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, a massive 77% of Americans identified Trump as the primary culprit for rising prices. This figure eclipses the 71% blame directed at Bush in 2005, the 64% peak for Obama, and the 70% high-water mark for Biden.
A Historic Breach in the Base
Perhaps most alarming for the administration is the erosion of partisan loyalty. Enten noted that a Reuters poll shows 55% of Republicans now blame their own party leader—a record-breaking defection.
“That is the highest ever blame for gas prices from one’s own party,” Enten remarked during a Friday segment. The sentiment is even more pronounced among the swing-voter demographic, with a record 82% of independents pointing the finger at the White House. “Rarely do you get the trifecta of majority across the political spectrum agreeing on something. But here you have it: the majority of Republicans, independents, and Democrats all blame Trump for higher gas prices.”
The Cost of Conflict
The economic fallout stems directly from the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Since the onset of the war with Iran, gas prices have surged by more than 47%. As of Friday, AAA reports the national average for regular gas sits at $4.39, rapidly approaching the Biden-era peak of $5.01 recorded in June 2022.
The volatility is fueled by a dual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil. As the U.S. Navy maintains a blockade on Iranian vessels, Tehran has retaliated by seizing ships and imposing strict controls on the waterway.
For the American public, the geopolitical objectives do not justify the domestic cost. Citing CNBC data, Enten pointed out that nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) believe the war with Iran is not worth the resulting surge in energy costs.
Economic Sentiment Shifts
The current climate marks a sharp reversal from the 2024 election cycle. Exit polls originally showed that voters trusted Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris to stabilize the economy and secure the borders—the very issues that carried him back to the Oval Office.
However, that mandate appears to be crumbling under the weight of inflation:
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An NBC News Decision Desk poll found a meager 37% approval rating for Trump’s economic management, with 63% disapproving.
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A CNN/SSRS survey saw Trump’s economic approval plummet to a record low of 31%.
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A recent Napolitan News Service poll indicates that more Americans now trust the Democratic Party over the GOP to navigate the nation’s economic challenges.
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