Kamala Harris Blames Trump for Gas Prices, But Her Own 2022 Words Resurface

The former vice president's attempt to rebrand herself as a champion of working Americans struggling at the pump didn't go well.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:35pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting of a gas pump handle in overlapping, fractured waves of warm colors, conveying the volatility and uncertainty of rising fuel prices.The shifting political rhetoric around gas prices reflects the complex economic and geopolitical factors at play.Charlotte Today

Kamala Harris posted a video from a gas station in Charlotte, North Carolina, blaming former President Trump for rising gas prices and calling the situation in Iran 'Trump's war of choice.' However, people quickly reminded her that when gas prices hit a record $5.01 per gallon under the Biden-Harris administration in 2022, she had said high gas prices were simply 'a price to pay for democracy.' The internet didn't forget her previous stance, and many pointed out that Harris didn't film her video in her home state of California, where gas taxes make the prices significantly worse.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the perceived hypocrisy of Harris's stance on gas prices, as she seemed to have a different perspective when the prices were even higher under her own administration. It raises questions about her credibility on this issue and her potential 2028 presidential run.

The details

In her recent video, Harris blamed former President Trump for the current high gas prices, which she said are a 'direct result of Donald Trump's war of choice in Iran.' However, when gas prices hit a record $5.01 per gallon under the Biden-Harris administration in 2022, Harris had said that high gas prices were simply 'a price to pay for democracy' in reference to the situation in Ukraine. Many people on social media pointed out this apparent contradiction in her stance. Additionally, Harris filmed her video in North Carolina, where gas prices are lower than in her home state of California, where gas taxes make the prices significantly higher.

  • In 2022, gas prices hit a record $5.01 per gallon under the Biden-Harris administration.
  • On April 16, 2026, the national average gas price was around $4.09 per gallon.

The players

Kamala Harris

The former vice president under the Biden administration, who is now being criticized for her apparent hypocrisy on the issue of high gas prices.

Donald Trump

The former president whom Harris is blaming for the current high gas prices.

Taylor Rogers

A White House spokeswoman who dismissed Harris's criticism, noting the Biden-Harris administration caused electricity prices to surge over 30 percent and gas to reach $5 nationally within one year.

Mike Lee

A Republican senator who countered that the prior Trump administration actively discouraged gasoline and diesel production throughout their entire four years in office.

US Oil and Gas Association

An organization that responded directly to Harris's video, reminding her that she co-sponsored the Green New Deal as a senator, pushed to ban fracking, and repeatedly sued oil and gas producers when she was California's attorney general.

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What they’re saying

“There is a price to pay for democracy.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President

“This is a direct result of Donald Trump's war of choice in Iran, and the American people are paying the price.”

— Kamala Harris, Former Vice President

“The Biden-Harris administration caused electricity prices to surge over 30 percent and gas to reach $5 nationally within one year.”

— Taylor Rogers, White House Spokeswoman

“The prior administration actively discouraged gasoline and diesel production throughout their entire four years in office.”

— Mike Lee, Republican Senator

What’s next

Harris's apparent shift in stance on high gas prices could have implications for her potential 2028 presidential run, as it raises questions about her credibility and consistency on this issue.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the perceived hypocrisy of Harris's stance on gas prices, as she seemed to have a different perspective when the prices were even higher under her own administration. It raises questions about her credibility on this issue and her potential 2028 presidential run.