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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Thursday slammed President Donald Trump, saying that it was becoming increasingly difficult for ordinary Americans to afford high energy costs amid the Iran war.
Sanders Says Iran War Is Driving Up Energy Costs
In a post on X, the Vermont independent referred to Trump’s comments about calling high gas costs a “very inexpensive price to pay for your illegal war in Iran.”
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He then pointed out that “ordinary Americans can’t afford $4.44 a gallon for gas,” and that truckers would not be able to afford paying $6.40/gallon for diesel. “Families can’t afford $5.50 for heating oil. End this war NOW!” Sanders said.
No, Mr. Trump. The high price of gas is not “a very inexpensive price” to pay for your illegal war in Iran.
Ordinary Americans can’t afford $4.44 a gallon for gas.
Truckers can’t afford $6.40 a gallon for diesel.
Families can’t afford $5.50 for heating oil.
End this war…
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) September 17, 2026
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA) data, the national average price of gas was $4.4386/gallon on Thursday, while the national average price of diesel was $6.3956/gallon.
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Bipartisan Criticism of Fed Rate Hike
As gas prices continue to rise, the decision by the Federal Reserve to hike the interest rate range by 25 basis points has drawn criticism from figures on both sides of the political spectrum.
Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro said that the decision to hike rates would hurt the economy amid volatile oil and gas prices, which act as a de facto rate hike as consumers spend less on the economy.
Gov. Jay Robert ‘JB’ Pritzker (D-IL) also slammed the decision, saying that the Federal Reserve hiked rates due to the war in Iran, which has caused drivers to spend $107 billion in excess costs since the war began in February this year.
Meanwhile, the U.S. could also impose restrictions on exports of diesel out of the country, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune saying that the administration could be open to considering such a move to keep domestic prices in check.
Photo courtesy: ana Shea / Shutterstock.com
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