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By Anna Commander
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A new Fox News poll finds that 61 percent of voters view prices at the pump as a major problem, as people across the country are now paying, on average, more than $4.40 a gallon for regular gasoline.
According to AAA, Thursday's national average for regular gasoline is $4.4386. Wednesday's average was $4.3672, last week's average was $4.2770 and last month's average was $4.0636.
The juxtaposition of the rising prices and the new poll underscores the ongoing affordability concerns weighing on Americans ahead of November. President Donald Trump has mentioned that the war with Iran will end after the midterms and has somewhat downplayed the rising gas prices and concerns about inflation.
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"It’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we've done, remember that. It’s a little more—frankly, even if it was a lot more, but that's going to come tumbling down," Trump said in North Carolina on Wednesday in part, while discussing the conflict and gasoline.
His remarks come as registered voters are expressing financial hardship over fuel and more. The Fox News Poll shows that 61 percent say it is a major concern, an uptick from two years ago when 48 percent said it was a major issue. Some farmers are slamming Trump over diesel prices, which hit $6.31 on Wednesday, per AAA data. Certain parts of California are seeing gas prices close in on or surpass $10 per gallon, leaving stations at a loss for how to display prices on their three-digit displays.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Thursday night for comment.
What The Poll Reveals
When asked if they think the Trump Administration has made the economy worse, better or no different, 63 percent of registered voters said worse. The poll shows that 73 percent of independents, 26 percent of Republicans and 95 percent of Democrats also think it is worse under Trump.
Fifty-five percent think the Democrats would do a better job on inflation and prices compared to 40 percent who think Republicans would, the poll shows. Thirty-four percent think the cost of living and inflation are the most important issue facing the nation right now and 14 percent said the economy and jobs.
The president's overall approval rating hit 39 percent versus a 61 percent disapproval rating. His approval rating on inflation is 24 percent, matching his low with the pollster, compared to a 74 percent disapproval rating.
Sixty-two percent say grocery prices are also a major problem, 52 percent say healthcare is a major problem, and 54 percent say housing costs are a major problem.
The poll was conducted from September 11-14, 2026, under Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, among 1,211
registered voters across the country and has a margin of error of 3 percent.
Craig Agranoff, political professor at Florida Atlantic University, told Newsweek on Thursday, "Gas above $4.40 with 61% of voters calling it a major problem is a real warning for Republicans, not background noise. Midterms turn on what people feel every week at the pump and the grocery store, and those numbers have gotten worse, not better."
Agranoff noted that those numbers don't necessarily mean "the race is over." He argued that "It means the White House has to stop treating prices as a side issue. The only way to turn it around is visible relief at the pump, a clear explanation of what is driving crude higher, and a plan voters can test in their own lives. Messaging alone will not fix a $4 gallon. If prices stay here through October, affordability will dominate the map."
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Trump, Iran and the Midterms
Midterm elections are commonly viewed as a test of the political environment facing the party currently in power, and the president's party has historically lost seats during these elections. Republicans hold a narrow majority in both the House and Senate.
Trump has also vowed earlier this month to hit the campaign trail in the days leading up to November's general election to rally for 35 critical seats.
Meanwhile, affordability concerns have been a central theme for voters, Democrats and Republicans alike this campaign cycle, as prices at the pump increasingly tick higher.
Earlier this week, the president addressed price concerns, saying on Truth Social, "I hope everyone realizes that price increases throughout America were caused by Sleepy Joe Biden and the Biden Administration, not by 'TRUMP.' Even Oil was higher under Biden than it is right now, and we prevented Iran from having a Nuclear Weapon! With the temporary exception of Oil, prices are coming down sharply, and Oil will drop like a rock as soon as the Military Conflict with Iran is over, and that will not be long. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP"
According to AAA, the highest recorded average price of regular gas was on June 14, 2022, when it reached $5.0165. At that time, former President Joe Biden was in office.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gray R. Thomas
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