Trump brushes off high gas prices. Polling shows voters don’t

Trump brushes off high gas rates. Polling demonstrates voters don't.

Key points

• Speaking at a recent political rally in Rome, Georgia, Trump remarked voters are "still paying lower than Biden and Obama."
• While only 36% approve, in the poll, 62% of registered voters remarked they disapprove of how Trump is handling his job as president.
• 27 Average Gas Cost, according to AAA: $4.40.
• Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY.
• While only 20% approve, according to an Oct, seventy-six percent of registered U.S.

Trump brushes off high gas rates. Polling demonstrates voters don't. Keith Laing USA TODAY. Trump downplays gas cost worries: 'We're making a frickin fortune'.

President Trump downplayed reservations over fuel costs in the U.S. At a campaign rally in Georgia, saying the country is "making a frickin' fortune."

President Trump is downplaying reservations concerning high gas rates ahead of the midterm elections.

Meanwhile, the national average gas cost was $4.26 on Oct. 27, up from $3.05 the previous year.

Despite a number of attempts to lower costs, an expert notes significant relief is unlikely before Election Day.

President Donald Trump keeps downplaying reservations concerning high gas rates as the midterm election approaches, even as Americans are paying an average of more than $4 per gallon.

Trump has promised in multiple campaign rallies in recent months that U.S. Gas rates will drop shortly, even as AAA's average national gas cost has been above $4 per gallon since April.

"I can just see the fake headlines, " Trump remarked. "'President Trump is talking regarding the capital they're making while individuals are suffering at the pump.' That'll be the headline. But I remarked I don't provide a damn, I'm going to say: We're making a frickin' fortune. Our country is getting stronger and stronger all the time. And those pump rates are going to come down."

Notably, the average cost of gas on Tuesday, Oct. 27, was $4.26, according to AAA. That's up from an average of $3.05 on Oct. 27, 2025, the group remarked.

With that in mind, the USA TODAY Cars Team took a look at the states where Trump is most and least popular, according to the latest Civiqs state-by-state tracker, and the average gas cost is those places with one week to go until Election Day.

How have gas rates affected Trump's approval ratings as voters head to the polls?

Despite Trump's assertion that high gas rates are not a sizeable accord, polling indicates most voters disagree.

While only 20% approve, according to an Oct, seventy-six percent of registered U.S. Voters disapprove of Trump's handling of gas rates. 8 poll from Navigator Research.

While only 23% approve, the poll additionally demonstrated that 73% of registered voters heading into the November election disapprove of Trump's handling of inflation and the cost of living. While only 36% approve, in the poll, 62% of registered voters remarked they disapprove of how Trump is handling his job as president.

"President Trump's approval ratings have hit all-time lows in Navigator tracking, " the group remarked. "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, remarked in an Oct. 26 blog post that gas rates are unlikely to significantly drop before Election Day on Nov. 3, despite the fact that Trump and Republican leaders in a number of states have "pulled virtually every lever available" – besides ending the Iran war.

"With the national average for gasoline likely to remain above $4 per gallon and diesel above $6 heading into the U.S. Election, the relief motorists and policymakers have been hoping for remains elusive – even as states have moved to cut fuel taxes and the Trump administration has pulled virtually every lever available, " De Haan remarked.

What are drivers paying in the states where Trump is most popular? Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 55%. Oct. 27 Average Gas Cost, according to AAA: $4.10.

Republican victory probability in 2026 statewide U.S. House race, according to The Hill: 99%. Trump Oct. 26 approval rating, according to Civiqs: 52%. Oct. 27 Average Gas Cost, according to AAA: $4.40.

Republican victory probability in 2026 statewide U.S. Senate race, according to The Hill: 98%.

Keith Laing is an automotive reporter on the National Trending Desk at USA TODAY. Contact Keith at [email protected]. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, trump brushes off high gas prices. Polling shows voters dont remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.