Bad news for Thanksgiving travelers: Gas prices are on the rise as the affordability crisis continues

As millions of Americans gear up for arguably the biggest holiday weekend of the year, the cost of filling their tanks is set to sting more than usual. Despite what Trump says about gas prices “plummeting” like stock prices on one of his businesses, the national average is creeping back up as a direct result of his policies, crushing the Thanksgiving travel spirit for hardworking Americans.

The federal average for a gallon of regular gasoline recently hovered around US $3.05, virtually identical to the same time last year. That flat-line may sound respectable and will probably be uttered by the president at some point this winter, but the issue is far more complex.

Earlier this year, drivers were paying significantly less compared to 2024, in some regions 30 to 50 cents a gallon less, and that discount has now disappeared.

“Oil and gasoline prices are down”: a fact check

Fuel is one of the most visible indicators for consumers of the broader cost-of-living squeeze that Americans are facing. Couple that with the fact that national averages when it comes to wages aren’t improving, and you’ve got yourself one disgusting holiday stew on the boil.

In states including Oregon, Alaska, Washington and California, prices have risen by as much as 20-27 cents a gallon compared to last year.

Of course, the facts simply don’t matter for this administration, that emphasised declining fuel costs as a victory earlier in the year in another take from George Orwell’s How to Ru(i)n a Nation playbook. But that hasn’t and won’t stop them: any mathematics that don’t fall in line with Trump’s huge cardboard cutouts will quickly be branded as ‘fake news’ or ‘Biden’s fault’ by the president. In fact, the statistics come from data shared to CNN by AAA, just so you’re aware.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that “Oil and gasoline prices are down substantially under President Trump — and that is really the key to affordability” but this is just not true: gas prices were three cents higher on a year-over-year basis the very day he made those claims.

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War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength.

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