California Gas Prices Top $6 as Newsom Blasts Trump Over Iran War Costs

Benzinga reported Tuesday that California gas prices have surpassed $6 a gallon. Governor Gavin Newsom used that milestone to publicly criticize President Donald Trump over his handling of energy costs during the ongoing Iran conflict.

Newsom Takes Aim at Trump’s Energy Stance

Speaking in a widely circulated interview clip, Newsom accused Trump of openly dismissing rising fuel costs as a concern. Newsom’s official press office shared the footage on X, framing the price surge as a burden falling squarely on working families. Newsom stressed that diesel costs alone are severely elevated. He argued the knock-on effects would spread quickly to grocery prices, as truckers absorb higher fuel bills on delivery routes across the country. Newsom also criticized Trump’s broader trade and tariff approach, as well as what he described as a retreat from longstanding international alliances.

California Gas Prices Lead the Nation

According to data from the American Automobile Association, the national average gasoline price stood at approximately $4.49 per gallon at the time of reporting. California commanded the steepest prices by a significant margin. The state’s average sat at $6.11 per gallon, well above every other state. Diesel costs were even sharper. The national average for diesel reached roughly $5.58 per gallon, while California drivers faced an average of $7.38 per gallon at the pump.

Prices Echo a Familiar Pattern

The current fuel spike carries echoes of previous energy shocks. Benzinga noted that Memorial Day pump prices hit their highest levels since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. That earlier shock sent crude oil markets into prolonged volatility and contributed to a broader inflationary surge that squeezed household budgets for the better part of two years. The Iran conflict has introduced a fresh layer of geopolitical risk into energy markets, pushing prices higher at a time when many American consumers were already stretched thin.

Also Read: Oil Markets Brace for Wider Middle East Risk Premium

Economic Damage Could Outlast the Conflict

Newsom argued that even a rapid resolution to the Iran situation would not provide immediate relief. He suggested months of economic disruption would follow regardless of how quickly the military conflict ends. The concern reflects a wider anxiety among economists that energy shocks embedded in supply chains take far longer to reverse than they do to build. Trump has not publicly responded to Newsom’s remarks as of publication time.

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