Sen. Grassley Responds to Trump's Gas Price Warning

Iowa senator says president may be managing expectations ahead of midterm elections.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:34pm

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A photorealistic oil painting of a solitary gas pump in an urban setting, bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, evoking a sense of quiet contemplation about the political and economic implications of rising fuel prices.As gas prices continue to rise, the president's warning about sustained high costs at the pump could be an effort to temper voter frustration ahead of the midterm elections.Des Moines Today

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa commented on President Donald Trump's recent warning that gas prices could remain high through the November midterm elections. Grassley suggested Trump may be trying to avoid "underperforming" by setting low expectations for gas prices rather than overpromising.

Why it matters

The rising cost of gas and other fuels like diesel has contributed to the highest consumer price index increase in years, putting a strain on household budgets. Trump's warning could be an effort to prepare voters for continued economic pain ahead of the midterms.

The details

Gas prices have risen more than 30% since the start of the war in Iran, which followed U.S. military strikes in February. Diesel prices are up $2 per gallon and some fertilizer costs have increased 40%. Trump said on Fox Business that when people go to the polls in November, gas prices could be "the same or maybe a little bit higher."

  • The war in Iran began earlier this year, following U.S. military strikes in February.
  • President Trump made his comments about gas prices on April 12, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who recently warned that gas prices could remain high through the November 2026 midterm elections.

Sen. Chuck Grassley

The Republican U.S. senator from Iowa who commented on Trump's gas price warning, suggesting the president may be trying to manage expectations ahead of the midterms.

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What they’re saying

“Underpromising and overperforming and I think that he's smart to do that in a lot of things. Sometimes he overpromises and underperforms. But in this particular instance, I think he's telling the American people he doesn't want to overpromise.”

— Sen. Chuck Grassley, U.S. Senator

The takeaway

Trump's warning about sustained high gas prices could be an effort to manage voter expectations ahead of the November midterm elections, rather than risk "underperforming" if prices remain elevated.