Cheap Gas at $3.20: A Political Win for Trump and Republicans?

As Americans gear up for Memorial Day road trips, they’re finding a pleasant surprise at the gas pumps: prices are down. According to GasBuddy, the national average for regular gasoline is hovering at a refreshing $3.20 per gallon, a notable drop from last year’s Memorial Day figures. Adjusted for inflation, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports a 14% decrease from 2024, driven largely by softer crude oil prices. This is the lowest seasonal level since 2021, a rare win for wallets in a world where costs seem to climb relentlessly.

While summer travel typically spikes demand and pushes prices up due to pricier summer gasoline blends, GasBuddy predicts a gentle easing of prices through Labor Day. This could spell political tailwinds for President Donald Trump and Republicans as they brace for next year’s midterm elections. Lower gas prices are a tangible relief for voters, and the White House is quick to claim credit, touting “relief in President Trump’s economy” as pump prices fall for the third consecutive month.

Yet, the broader economic picture is murkier. Trump’s approval ratings, slightly underwater four months into his second term, reflect persistent grumbling over inflation and the cost of living—issues that dogged his predecessor, Joe Biden. A bold tariff announcement in April rattled markets and sparked trade war fears, though a recent U.S.-China truce has calmed the storm. Republican strategist Jesse Hunt calls the gas price dip a “positive development,” crediting Trump’s energy policies for keeping more cash in Americans’ pockets. But political analyst Daron Shaw warns that gas prices alone won’t erase the sting of high grocery bills and other essentials. “People still feel squeezed,” Shaw notes, suggesting that broader price reductions are needed for Trump to claim a true economic victory.

Republicans are banking on a recent tax and spending cuts package, narrowly passed in the House, to spur growth and ease family budgets. Hunt is optimistic, pointing to early successes like stabilizing egg prices—a quirky but real concern early in Trump’s term. If these measures deliver, they could bolster GOP chances in the midterms. For now, cheaper gas offers a fleeting moment of relief, but the road to economic goodwill remains a bumpy one.