False. COVID shutdowns caused gas prices to plummet during Trump's First Term. In his Second Term, Trump's decision to attack Iran caused gas prices to skyrocket. U.S. Energy Information Administration +2

Gas Price Drops in 2020 Were Caused by COVID, Not Trump

During the COVID shutdown, the entire global economy shut down. International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global demand for oil was down by almost 30 million barrels per day because of the shutdowns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why gas prices dropped so dramatically. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The average national gas price rose along with demand when the COVID lockdown restrictions were lifted, and people could leave their houses.

Gas Prices are Primarily Impacted by Global Production and Demand, Not Presidents

Trump’s policies to drill for more oil are unlikely to significantly lower U.S. gas prices because gasoline is a global commodity priced on international, not just domestic, markets. Gas prices are primarily impacted by global factors, such as global production and demand. U.S. Energy Information Administration

Example: If U.S. production rises, other nations, such as Saudi Arabia, may reduce their own output to keep prices high, minimizing any domestic price decrease.

Increasing Domestic Oil Production Costs Environmentally

While increased drilling can benefit profits for oil companies, it does not guarantee lower energy prices for American consumers. It also destroys the ecosystem in the process.

Prioritizing Oil Production is not a Valid Long-Term Strategy

Fossil fuels are considered a finite resource and will eventually run out. That’s why policy must consider finding alternative energy sources for the long-term.

Believing a president alone controls gas prices obscures the real economic forces — global supply and demand — and leads to misunderstanding rhetoric versus market reality.