Supporters at a recent rally on the National Mall acknowledged feeling the financial impact of rising gas prices but largely directed blame toward the Iran conflict and lingering frustrations with inflation under former President Joe Biden. Attendees at the Great American State Fair rally, which coincided with events celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, shared their views on affordability concerns amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
"My least favorite president ran gas up to about $5 a gallon for no reason, and that was Mr. Biden," said Billy of North Carolina, reflecting a sentiment echoed by others who linked current economic conditions to the previous administration.
James McNair of Maryland pointed to interest rates, stating, "Affordability has a lot to do with just interest rates that went up the highest in 48 years under President Biden, so it's going to take some time to get those prices back down to where we were before that." His brother, David, expressed confidence in President Trump's business acumen to improve the situation.
Many attendees attributed the recent spike in gas prices to the escalating conflict with Iran, a development they continued to support. "I don't think the prices in general have gotten any worse than when Biden was in the administration," said Lisa of Maryland.
Before the war, the national average for gasoline was $2.98 per gallon. Prices reached a peak of $4.56 in late May before settling at $3.87 by the end of June. Matt of Maryland noted, "Prices have definitely gone up and they do get my attention." He connected the current situation to past dealings with Iranian regimes, stating, "If we're worried about gas prices, we're going to be worrying again and again and again until we get a handle on regimes that just don't share our values."
Norma Holm of Indiana expressed a similar view, believing that confronting the issue with Iran was necessary. "We are taking it for the team with the gas prices and everything else, but things are stabilizing, and President Trump, don't underestimate him."
Some attendees expressed hope that a resolution to the Iran conflict would lead to lower prices. "As the Iran war comes to an end and the peace deal hopefully gels, we'll see. I think gas prices are already coming down, not tremendously, not where we would like to see, but those things take time," said James of New York. Washington and Tehran had agreed to halt military strikes, with delegations scheduled to meet for talks. The Pentagon has estimated the Iran war cost $11.3 billion in its first six days.
