Trump pledges $8 billion farm fuel relief as gasoline hits $4.29

President Donald Trump announced a new harvest fuel relief program designed to provide $8 billion in support for American farmers. The move comes as the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stands at $4.29, a sharp increase from the $2.98 average recorded before the war with Iran began. This price surge is occurring just one week before the midterm elections on Nov. 3, where cost of living concerns remain a top priority for voters.

The conflict with Iran, which launched in late February, has driven up the cost of crude oil and diesel. Diesel prices have reached historic highs, currently averaging $6.35 per gallon. This figure is up from $3.76 in February and represents a 74 percent increase over the previous year. The volatility in energy markets has created a difficult environment for Republican candidates seeking to retain control of Congress.

Trump has repeatedly defended the economic impact of the war, arguing that higher fuel costs are a necessary trade-off to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He also pointed to the United States' status as the world's largest oil producer as a financial benefit. At a campaign rally in Georgia over the weekend, he told supporters, “We’re making a freaking fortune.”

The President's stance on energy prices has shifted over the past eight months. In his February State of the Union address, he touted gas prices below $2.30 in many states. As the war progressed and Brent crude oil prices spiked above $100 a barrel, he urged retailers to lower prices quickly. Later this summer, as oil costs cooled, he expressed frustration that pump prices did not drop fast enough. In early September, he acknowledged that prices might not fall before the elections, predicting a decline only "right after the election."

Recently, Trump announced a deal to purchase Russian diesel to help lower costs, a policy shift from previous U.S. pressure on Moscow. He claimed the U.S. retains total control of the Strait of Hormuz, despite shipping traffic remaining below pre-war levels. He stated that lower prices for farmers and truckers are his greatest priority.

At a rally in Kansas, Trump linked the new funding directly to the election outcome. He told the crowd, “When Republicans win, we will pass even more funding for our farmers.” He also asked voters to “pretend please that I’m on the ballot,” emphasizing his influence on the legislative agenda despite not being up for re-election.