- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
White House Press Secretary Accused of 'Bald-Faced Lie' Over Gas Price Claim
Karoline Leavitt's assertion that gas prices have decreased under Trump is being widely criticized as false.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:57am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The stark increase in gas prices, a direct consequence of the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran, has left many Americans feeling the financial strain.Washington TodayWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has been accused of 'insulting' Americans by claiming that gas prices have decreased under the Trump administration, when in reality they have surged due to the ongoing war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Leavitt's comments have been widely condemned as a 'bald-faced lie' that is 'insulting to the American people'.
Why it matters
The sharp increase in gas prices is a direct consequence of the war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, which has disrupted global oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Leavitt's false claims about decreasing gas prices under Trump are seen as an attempt to mislead the public and downplay the economic impacts of the administration's foreign policy decisions.
The details
Since the U.S. under President Trump, alongside Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a war with Iran, global fuel prices have surged due to disruptions in shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping channels. Despite this fact, Leavitt claimed in a press conference that 'gas prices have decreased over the past year since this president was in office', a statement that has been widely condemned as a 'bald-faced lie' that is 'insulting to the American people'.
- The U.S. and Israel launched a war with Iran in recent months.
The players
Karoline Leavitt
The current White House Press Secretary, who has been accused of making false claims about decreasing gas prices under the Trump administration.
Donald Trump
The former U.S. President who, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, launched a war with Iran that has disrupted global oil shipping and caused a surge in gas prices.
Benjamin Netanyahu
The Prime Minister of Israel who, alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump, launched a war with Iran that has disrupted global oil shipping and caused a surge in gas prices.
Shri Thanedar
A U.S. Congressman who criticized Leavitt's claims as a 'ridiculous bald faced lie' that is 'insulting to the American people'.
What they’re saying
“This is such a ridiculous bald faced lie, it's insulting to the American people.”
— Shri Thanedar, U.S. Congressman
“Karoline Leavitt thinks you're stupid and can't read gas price numbers when you pay.”
— Anonymous
The takeaway
Leavitt's false claims about decreasing gas prices under the Trump administration are seen as a blatant attempt to mislead the public and downplay the economic impacts of the administration's foreign policy decisions. This highlights the ongoing challenges of political accountability and the importance of fact-checking statements made by government officials.
