Gas Prices Soar: Newsom’s Blame Game Exposed

California’s own data reveals what hardworking Americans already knew: Governor Gavin Newsom’s finger-pointing at President Trump over skyrocketing gas prices is nothing more than a desperate smoke screen for his own failed energy policies.

Story Snapshot

California gas prices average $5.29 per gallon compared to $3.53 nationally, with some areas hitting $6.95
Newsom blames Trump’s Iran conflict while critics point to California’s nation-leading 70-cent-per-gallon taxes and refinery closures
State policies including strict regulations have driven refineries out of business, forcing costly imports through Panama and the Bahamas
Industry experts warn Newsom’s green agenda threatens complete elimination of California refining capacity and over 500,000 jobs

Newsom’s Blame Game Falls Flat

Governor Newsom posted on social media in March 2026 claiming President Trump’s Iran conflict costs Americans $1.5 billion weekly at the pump. California drivers face prices averaging $5.29 per gallon while the national average sits at $3.53. GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton fired back, calling the prices “insane” and attributing them directly to Newsom’s “climate dogma” and punishing tax policies. LA County GOP Chair Roxanne Hoge labeled Newsom’s position pure “projection” to deflect from his administration’s mismanagement of energy policy.

California’s Self-Inflicted Energy Crisis

California imposes the nation’s highest gas taxes at approximately 70 cents per gallon according to EIA data, far exceeding what other states charge their residents. The state’s stringent clean fuel standards require costly reformulated gasoline that few refineries produce. Newsom’s regulatory crusade has systematically shuttered refining capacity, forcing the state to import fuel through convoluted shipping routes from the Gulf Coast via the Bahamas and Panama. Daniel Turner of Power The Future described California as a “refinery graveyard” created by Newsom’s green policies, while industry analysts point to reduced supply amid high demand as the inevitable result.

Economic Devastation Looms for Working Families

Chevron President Andy Walz warned Newsom directly that continued regulatory assault could eliminate all refining operations in California, spiking prices by over one dollar per gallon and destroying hundreds of thousands of jobs. Low-income families bear the brunt of these policies, paying a premium of over two dollars per gallon compared to Americans in states with sensible energy approaches. California drivers saw prices peak at $6.29 per gallon in June 2022, and current spikes approach those devastating levels despite Newsom’s claims of “stability tools” from his legislative package including SBX1-2 and SB 237.

The Real Culprit Behind Pain at the Pump

While the Iran conflict contributed to a 60-cent national price increase, California’s unique premium stems entirely from state-level decisions spanning 15 years of Democratic control. Critics note Newsom hiked the state gas tax less than one year before blaming Trump for price surges. The governor’s office dismissed industry concerns as coming from “Big Oil puppets,” defending the administration’s push toward electrification and clean energy. However, the 138 new well permits issued since January 2026 under tightened safety rules do nothing to address refining capacity losses. California consumers deserve leaders who acknowledge reality instead of playing political games while hardworking families struggle to fill their tanks.