Gas prices have been up nationally since the start of Operation Epic Fury, but that's temporary and they're already coming back down in many areas of the country.
Well before the Iran operation began, a state where gas prices (and energy costs in general) were already incredibly high is in Gavin Newsom's California. The governor, however, has attempted to blame Big Oil "gouging" and of course Trump:
Gavin Newsom: oil companies are unfairly gouging Californians. I’m creating a special session to hold them accountable.
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) March 31, 2025
Reality: Two years later, the state has been unable to prove companies engage in price gouging when the cost of gasoline spikes in California. pic.twitter.com/47qWDtRMcQ
Trump knew his war with Iran would raise gas prices.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) March 14, 2026
Now he wants to illegally resurrect a pipeline shut down by courts and facing criminal charges. And it won't even cut prices.
I refuse to let Trump sacrifice Californians, our environment, or our $51 billion coastal economy. https://t.co/CcfqgzJZFm
After years of Newsom's finger pointing, even the media's starting to not want to carry his water anymore:
For years, California leaders accused oil companies of price gouging at the pump, but a state investigation found no evidence of that. Instead, a CBS News California investigation found what's really driving the highest gas prices in the U.S. https://t.co/NTCE6Dx6kl
— CBS Sacramento (@CBSSacramento) April 3, 2026
Recommended
That sound you hear is Newsom's high energy costs talking points collapsing:
Why California gas costs more: Higher taxes, labor and business costs, combined with environmental programs, regulations, and the state's unique fuel blend, drive up baseline prices.
The political narrative is shifting: After failing to prove price gouging — and grappling with the impact of two shuttered refineries — state leaders are now publicly acknowledging the need to incentivize oil companies to stay.
This is a "progressive leadership" time-honored trait: Institute crazy policies that chase businesses and people away, and then try to find ways to incentivize them to return.
Hahaha. CBS did a 6 month investigation and concluded that high California gas prices are entirely the fault of Gavin Newsom & CA leadership.
— Rachel Keuler (@rkeuler) April 4, 2026
“55% of each gallon of gas includes California-specific costs.” https://t.co/hBc5eYTDnd
This has been known for years, but you ignored it and regurgitated Dem talking points. Congratulations on finally cracking the case, Clouseau.
— Just Karen (@KPBeachGirl) April 4, 2026
At least they're finally catching on.
Incase you didn’t want to read here’s what the article says
— OC Scanner 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 (@OC_Scanner) April 4, 2026
55% of the costs associated with our gasoline are from California-specific policies, designed to steal money from motorists for Democrat pet projects/donors https://t.co/sy3fpbN7JY
Shocker! https://t.co/CcvvWBbUCy pic.twitter.com/A4iXzNQh3j
— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) April 4, 2026
Spoiler alert: it’s Dem policies that have caused sky-high gas prices in CA (which Newsom knows, but won’t stop lying about it). https://t.co/TjukrqhyKC
— Brittany (@bccover) April 4, 2026
Yep, we don't expect this in any way to stop Newsom from accepting any responsibility for gas prices in his state.
*****