Donald Trump and JD Vance’s deadly and costly war with Iran has caused fuel costs to soar — driving up airfares and limiting flight options. This week — as the holiday travel season approaches — the United Airlines CEO said, “We’re in a year where we have fuel prices going up $8 billion. … We’ve passed through about 72% of the increase in fuel price [to consumers].” An American Airlines finance official said, “If fuel comes down, I think airfares probably stay largely where they’re at right now.” Trump’s U.N. envoy said the war may drag on for another year.
On top of that, Trump and Vance’s war with Iran is costing Americans an additional $140 billion on gas and diesel, and the average price of gas has been above $4 per gallon for 167 days this year — more than any year on record.
In response, DNC Deputy Communications Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:
“After railing against foreign wars that cost American taxpayers billions, Donald Trump and JD Vance started a war with Iran that sent prices soaring and has no end in sight. As Americans look forward to traveling for the holidays to visit their loved ones, they’re being met with sky-high ticket prices they can’t afford as they shell out extra for gas, groceries, and healthcare. Trump and Vance are leaving working families to drown under skyrocketing costs — and Americans are sick of being left with the bill for their disastrous agenda. That’s why this November, voters are ready to hold Trump and Vance accountable and deliver a major defeat to Republicans across the country.”
REMINDER: Trump and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy formally withdrew a Biden-era plan that required airlines to compensate passengers for major flight disruptions and faulty services. Major airlines and their trade association spent more than $23.7 million on lobbying the Trump administration and Congress in the first nine months of 2025, even hiring Trump-connected lobbying firms.
