Michigan Poll: 63% Blame Trump Policies for Higher Energy Costs

Gas prices have risen $1 per gallon in the month since the war in Iran began.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:03am

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A new poll by EPIC-MRA of likely Michigan voters showed 63% of respondents believed President Donald Trump's policies as president have caused the prices of energy - gasoline, natural gas, electricity and other commodities - to go up, helping to fuel inflation. The poll of 600 randomly selected likely Michigan voters was done March 19-24 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Why it matters

The poll results indicate a significant majority of Michigan voters believe Trump's policies are responsible for rising energy costs, which have contributed to broader inflationary pressures. This could have political implications as Republicans seek to maintain control of the White House and Congress in the upcoming elections.

The details

Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported inflation for energy had increased just one-half of a percentage point in the previous 12 months as of the end of February 2026. However, this took into account a 5.6% decrease in the price of gasoline compared to increases of nearly 5% for electricity, 6% for fuel oil and 11% for piped gas provided by utilities. The report was also largely before the onset of the U.S. and Israel beginning a war with Iran, which has halted oil supplies through the Straits of Hormuz, causing gas prices to rise $1 a gallon in Michigan in the last month.

  • The poll of 600 randomly selected likely Michigan voters was done March 19-24, 2026.
  • Gas prices have risen $1 per gallon in Michigan in the last month.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president whose policies, according to the poll, are blamed by 63% of Michigan voters for higher energy costs.

Joe Biden

The former president whose administration Republicans have continued to blame for the current energy price increases, even though Biden left office in January 2025.

JD Vance

The current vice president who blamed the Biden administration for energy price increases during a visit to Auburn Hills, Michigan on March 18, 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Trump and members of his administration have largely downplayed the costs, saying they are temporary, or continued to blame former President Joe Biden's administration, as Vice President JD Vance did during a visit to Auburn Hills on March 18.”

— Todd Spangler, Author

The takeaway

The poll results highlight the political divide over the causes of rising energy costs, with a majority of Michigan voters blaming Trump's policies while Republicans continue to point fingers at the previous administration. This could be a key issue in upcoming elections as voters weigh the economic impacts of the current administration's policies.