Trump-backed Michigan Senate Candidate Mike Rogers Links High Grocery Prices to Iran War, Calls for Export Embargo

Mike Rogers, the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, has linked the rising cost of groceries and everyday life to the ongoing war with Iran, calling for the conflict to "end quickly" and proposing a temporary embargo on American diesel exports. Rogers stated in a social media video that "Michigan families are struggling with the price of everyday life. Groceries cost too much. We have to bring prices down." He added that "When it does [the war ends], energy costs will plummet. But Michigan families can’t afford to wait for that to happen."

Rogers also called for the suspension of state and federal gas taxes, which he noted amounts to 70 cents per gallon. The state's motor fuel tax is 52.4 cents per gallon, while federal taxes include excise taxes of 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.3 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, plus a 0.1-cent-per-gallon Leaking Underground Storage Tank fee on both fuels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

While Rogers has not explicitly called for a suspension of the federal diesel tax, he advocated for an embargo on diesel exports. "Diesel fuels the trucks that bring groceries to this store. It fuels the tractors that grow our food. And when diesel costs more, it costs more to grow it, ship it, stock it, and ultimately, buy it," Rogers said. "So until this war is over, I’m calling for a temporary embargo on American diesel exports."

President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Rogers, including in a video posted recently with the caption, "Mike Rogers has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next U.S. Senator from Michigan — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"

The AAA national average price for diesel reached a record high of $6.5276 as of September 22.

Rogers is running against Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Responding to Rogers' video, El-Sayed criticized his Republican rival on X, stating, "You've spent your entire campaign supporting the war in Iran. Liar, coward, fraud." Former Representative Justin Amash, who competed against Rogers in the 2024 GOP Michigan U.S. Senate primary, also commented on X, suggesting Rogers' statement indicated he was "losing—and losing badly."