Trump Blames Biden For What?

President Donald Trump has argued that Americans paid more at the gas pump during Joe Biden’s presidency, pointing to fuel prices as part of a broader argument about the cost of living.

The issue has taken on renewed importance as gasoline prices have climbed sharply in 2026. The national average for regular gasoline reached about $4.48 per gallon on September 21, according to AAA. The increase has come as crude oil prices have risen amid continued instability around the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has maintained that gas prices were considerably higher during Biden’s presidency and has also argued that Americans faced higher prices across much of the economy during that period.

The historical numbers, however, require some context.

Gas Prices During the Biden Years

When Biden took office in January 2021, gasoline was relatively inexpensive compared with what followed. The country was still dealing with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had sharply reduced fuel demand.

Prices began climbing as economic activity recovered. The increase accelerated in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting disruption and uncertainty in global energy markets.

Federal Energy Information Administration data shows the national average moving above $4 per gallon during March 2022 and eventually reaching approximately $5 per gallon in June. The EIA’s weekly data shows a national average of $5.006 per gallon for the week of June 13, 2022.

That remains a significant benchmark when comparing the two administrations.

Gas prices subsequently declined from those 2022 highs. By the end of Biden’s presidency, the national average was considerably lower than the peak reached during the energy shock.

What Happened After Trump Returned to Office?

Trump began his second term in January 2025 with gasoline prices around the low-$3 range nationally.

For much of 2025, prices remained below the levels seen during the worst part of Biden’s presidency. EIA data shows the national average falling below $3 per gallon late in 2025 and reaching roughly $2.78 during January 2026.

That changed dramatically in the spring of 2026.

EIA figures show the national average rising from about $3.02 per gallon at the beginning of March to nearly $4 per gallon by the end of that month. Prices continued climbing through April and May, reaching $4.50 per gallon during the week of May 11.

AAA later reported a 2026 national record of $4.56 per gallon on May 21.

Prices fell during June before beginning to rise again during the summer. By September, the national average had moved back above $4.30, with AAA reporting $4.43 on September 17 and approximately $4.48 on September 21.

So Which Presidency Had Higher Gas Prices?

There are several ways to answer that question.

If the comparison is based on the highest price reached during each presidency, Biden’s period currently holds the higher peak. The national average reached about $5.01 per gallon in June 2022, compared with the 2026 peak of about $4.56 under Trump’s second term so far.

If the comparison is based on individual periods, however, the picture changes.

Gasoline was cheaper during portions of Trump’s second term, particularly during late 2025 and early 2026. At the same time, the sharp increase during 2026 has pushed current prices above many of the levels recorded during Biden’s presidency outside the 2022 spike.

That makes the timing of the comparison important.

It is also important to distinguish gasoline prices from the broader cost of living. A president’s claim about gas prices does not automatically establish what happened to every other consumer price. Different products are affected by different factors, including energy costs, supply chains, labor expenses, commodity markets and consumer demand.

What About Other Prices?

Inflation provides another way to examine the broader claim.

Consumer prices rose substantially during Biden’s presidency, with inflation reaching an annual rate of 9.1% in June 2022. The pace of inflation subsequently declined, although the overall price level remained higher than it had been before the inflation surge.

Looking only at inflation rates can also be misleading. A decline in inflation means prices are rising more slowly. It does not mean that prices have returned to where they were before the earlier increase.

The same distinction applies to gasoline.

A driver paying $3 per gallon after previously paying $5 may feel substantial relief even though the price remains higher than it was several years earlier.

The Bigger Picture

The available government data shows that gasoline prices experienced major swings during both administrations.

The Biden years included the country’s record national gasoline price in 2022. Trump’s second term began with considerably lower prices, but gasoline prices surged again during 2026, reaching another unusually high level.

As of September 21, AAA puts the national average at about $4.48 per gallon, while EIA’s latest weekly figure was $4.32 for the week ending September 14. The two figures use different reporting methods and timing, which accounts for some of the difference.

The numbers therefore support a more complicated picture than a simple administration-to-administration comparison. Gasoline prices have been highly volatile, and the largest increases have coincided with major disruptions and uncertainty in global energy markets.

For drivers, the number that matters most is ultimately the price on the sign when they pull into a station. Right now, that number remains well above the levels Americans saw at the beginning of 2026.