California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing intense backlash from furious residents and political opponents after blaming President Donald Trump's war with Iran for spiking gas prices—while critics argue his own state policies are the real culprit behind the nation's highest fuel costs .
The Democratic governor has taken to social media repeatedly in recent days, posting sharp criticisms of Trump and linking the surge in gasoline prices directly to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East .
"Taking a victory lap on 'LOWEST EVER' gas prices, then calling Americans 'FOOLS' for worrying about his war with Iran raising prices? Donald Trump is a con man with no plan and failing the American people," Newsom wrote Monday on X, responding to a post from Trump .
His press office doubled down, writing on the platform: "No, you ding dong. This is because of Trump's war with Iran. Average gas prices in California have stayed below $5 for nearly two years — until now" .
The 'Horribly Bad' Policy Criticism
But critics say Newsom's attacks on Trump ring hollow given California's long-standing status as the state with the highest gas prices in the nation—a reality that predates the recent Iran conflict by years .
"Does delusional Gavin Newsom not realize his state has the highest gas prices in US?" the Washington Examiner asked in an op-ed, noting that California's gas prices have regularly been well above the national average throughout Newsom's tenure .
When the national average hit a five-year low of $2.79 per gallon in January, the average price at California pumps was already $4.223—nearly $1.50 higher . A month ago, before the recent surge tied to Iran, Californians were still paying $4.478 per gallon compared to the national average of $2.902 .
"Newsom criticizing Trump about a temporary surge in gas prices while his own house is in petroleum disorder shows just how sinister and duplicitous Democrats are," the Examiner editorial charged .
Californians Speak Out: 'Stop Taxing Us to Death'
Residents themselves have flooded regulators with angry comments, directing their frustration at Sacramento rather than Washington .
"Stop taxing us to death," wrote Victoria Comfort in comments responding to proposed state regulatory changes. "None of these taxes are helping Californians. They aren't helping the environment. It's policy that has screwed the oil and gas industry in CA and policy that is bankrupting Californians through more gas taxes, already the highest in the nation" .
Ramona Bonitatis, a Santa Clarita resident, warned that additional regulatory pressure could push prices even higher: "Gas prices in my neighborhood are already approaching over $5.00 per gallon. This disparity punishes hardworking Californians every time we fill up while most other states enjoy prices in the $2–$3 range" .
Michael Chavez blamed the state's energy policies for weakening local industry: "California's overseers managed the impossible: destroy in-state refining, kill high-paying local jobs, increase import dependence, and then pretend consumers are the problem" .
The Numbers: California vs. The Nation
The statistics paint a stark picture of California's unique gas price burden :
California average (regular gas): $5.20 per gallon
National average: $3.48 per gallon
Premium gasoline (California): $5.60 per gallon
Diesel (California): $5.96 per gallon
Some California counties: Prices ranging from $5.29 to $5.74 per gallon
Extreme cases: One downtown Los Angeles station was spotted at $8.21 per gallon
By comparison, Louisiana—which has its own oil production and refineries—averages just $3.04 per gallon .
Why California Prices Are So High
Experts point to several state-specific factors that make California uniquely vulnerable to price spikes—and consistently more expensive than the rest of the country :
Refinery Closures and Supply Constraints
California has lost nearly 20% of its refining capacity due to recent closures, including the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and the planned closure of the Valero refinery in Benicia . The state has gone from 40 refineries to just seven .
Today, only 23% of the crude oil refined in California is actually pumped in the state. Another 13% comes from Alaska, while 63% is imported from elsewhere in the world—including about 30% from the volatile Middle East .
The Cap-and-Invest Program
California's cap-and-invest program, overseen by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), currently adds about 24 cents per gallon to the cost of gasoline in the state . The program requires major polluters to purchase allowances for each ton of carbon they emit, with fewer allowances issued each year .
Proposed amendments to tighten these caps could drive prices even higher .
Chevron's Dire Warning
Energy giant Chevron sent a stark letter to Newsom warning that the proposed regulatory changes would "cripple the survivability of the state's remaining refineries" .
Chevron President Andy Walz wrote that the regulations would:
Increase gas prices by $1 per gallon by 2030
Put an estimated 536,770 industry jobs at risk
Threaten "critical energy and national security assets"
Impact lower-income households disproportionately
"The California energy industry's economic, industrial, environmental and national security benefits have been the foundation of a healthy, prosperous state and nation. Adversarial policies at local, regional and state levels have eroded that foundation," Walz wrote .
Reliance on Imports
Because of declining in-state production, California increasingly relies on imported gasoline from overseas—including from the Middle East, making the state especially vulnerable to global disruptions .
"Geopolitical events…show and highlight how fragile it is here in California," said Zachary Leary, chief lobbyist at the Western States Petroleum Assn .
Democrats Join the Criticism
Even some Democratic lawmakers are urging caution. Fifteen Democratic members of the state Assembly sent a letter urging CARB to reconsider elements of its proposed cap-and-trade overhaul, warning the changes could destabilize California's fuel markets .
"This crisis is not a fallacy nor a thinly veiled threat," the lawmakers wrote. "It is a reality borne by consumers today, who are historically and empirically least able to afford it" .
Newsom's Defense: Blaming Trump
Despite the criticism, Newsom has remained steadfast in blaming the Trump administration for the current spike .
"California gas prices were stable for nearly two years after the state cracked down on price spikes… Then Trump started a war with Iran—and prices began skyrocketing NATIONWIDE!" the governor's press office posted .
At a Tuesday news conference, Newsom called reports of Iran potentially launching drone attacks on California a "critical" threat and again cast blame on the White House .
"I haven't talked to the president directly about this and I wish the president would talk to the American people about what this is all about, what's the end game?" Newsom said. "We've seen no real end game in sight when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz" .
His spokesperson, Anthony Martinez, similarly pinned the blame on Trump while responding to critics: "Governor Lombardo and the oil industry are spending their time running a coordinated campaign to attack California, while Donald Trump's reckless Iran war has already cost Americans $1.5 billion in gas costs just this week alone—prices are up an average of 56 cents nationwide, not just in California" .
Political Fallout: 2026 Governor's Race
The gas price battle is shaping up as a major issue in California's 2026 gubernatorial race .
Republican candidate Steve Hilton has seized on the controversy, sending an impassioned letter to California's largest oil companies promising a sweeping overhaul of energy policy if elected .
"Do not give up on California," Hilton wrote to industry leaders including Chevron, Marathon Petroleum, and Valero. "California's energy industry is under attack. For 16 years, one-party rule in Sacramento led by Gavin Newsom has targeted the very industry that helped build California's prosperity" .
Hilton vowed to "suspend or reverse these regulatory changes, appoint new leadership at the relevant agencies, and restore a common-sense approach to energy policy" .
The National Context: Iran War and Global Prices
There's no question the Iran conflict has disrupted global oil markets. The price of crude oil has surged past $110 per barrel, reaching heights not seen since 2022 . The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz—which carries a fifth of the world's crude oil—has strangled movement through the Persian Gulf .
Nationally, gas prices have increased about 17% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, from $2.98 to $3.48 per gallon . Diesel has jumped 23% to $4.65 per gallon .
But California's prices have always been higher—and the gap is now widening .
What's Next: Could Prices Hit $7?
Some analysts warn that prices could climb even higher if global oil markets remain volatile .
Polymarket, a global prediction market, suggests the national average price for gasoline could reach $5 per gallon by the end of March. Under that scenario, California's statewide average might soar past $7 per gallon .
For now, drivers across California continue to face some of the highest fuel prices in the country, with the pain likely to intensify if global tensions and supply constraints persist .
Key Takeaways: The Newsom Gas Price Controversy
The Claim: Newsom blames Trump's Iran war for recent gas price spikes
The Backlash: Critics say California's own policies—refinery closures, cap-and-invest, import dependence—are the real cause of nation-high prices
The Numbers: California average: $5.20/gallon vs. national average: $3.48/gallon
The Politics: Issue heating up 2026 governor's race with Republican Steve Hilton attacking Newsom's record
The Risk: Analysts warn prices could hit $7/gallon in California if conflict continues
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