California gas prices have crossed the $6 per gallon threshold, reaching an average of $6.101 on Sunday, according to American Automobile Association data. Governor Newsom's office responded by directly attacking the Trump administration, characterizing rising fuel costs as a consequence of U.S. military involvement in Iran-related conflicts.
In a social media post, Newsom's Press Office stated that the war had "driven U.S. gas prices up 44 percent to a four-year high." The post referenced the Strait of Hormuz, which has remained effectively closed for 61 days, and cited calculations showing families nationwide have paid over $29 billion more at the pump. The governor's office framed every price increase—at gas pumps, grocery stores, and airlines—as a "Trump Iran war tax."
The national average gas price stood at $4.446 per gallon on Sunday, according to American Automobile Association data. Data from the Energy Information Administration showed that May 2022 gas prices reached $4.545 per gallon, which exceeds current national averages, though California prices remain substantially higher than the rest of the country.
Trump's administration has proposed "Project Freedom," described as a humanitarian initiative to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz without direct involvement in the regional conflict. The President has also stated his administration is reviewing a new proposal from Iran to end the war, though he expressed skepticism about whether it would meet his standards.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy struck a more optimistic note regarding fuel prices. He predicted that gas costs would decline immediately upon the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, though no timeline for that development was provided.
The aviation sector has felt particular pressure from fuel costs. Spirit Airlines ceased operations on Saturday after creditors declined to support a government rescue package. Other budget carriers, including Frontier Group Holdings and Avelo, have requested a $2.5 billion relief package to offset rising fuel expenses.
