Donald J.Trump demands gasoline retailers drop prices to $2.50 a gallon
warned retailers of “big problems” if they fail to cut pump prices, citing oil at $68 a barrel, and blasted California fuel taxes.
WHITE HOUSE — Donald J.Trump ordered gasoline retailers to cut pump prices and target $2.50 a gallon in a Truth Social post on June 29, 2026 at 6:39 PM EST.
Here is the full post (see truthsocial): “Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY! They’re too high considering that Oil is now at $68 a Barrel, and heading south. The Retailers must quickly react to this statement, and do what they know is right — DROP YOUR PRICE FOR OUR GREAT AMERICAN PEOPLE! There will be no gauging, which is totally illegal. If Retailers don’t do this, big problems lie ahead! Start targeting around the $2.50 a Gallon number, and California should stop charging such heavy Taxes on their Gasoline. Soon the Tax will be higher than the Product itself, and the United States will not stand for it, nor will the People of California, who are being abused by these ridiculous Taxes, and by their own Government. Donald J.Trump”
Trump cited oil trading at $68 a barrel and warned that prices were “heading south,” making current gasoline costs unjustifiable. He threatened “big problems” for retailers who fail to comply and accused them of potential price gouging, which he called “totally illegal.” Federal and state price-gouging laws prohibit excessive pricing during emergencies, though enforcement standards vary by jurisdiction (see energy.gov).
The post singled out California, where state fuel taxes and environmental fees rank among the highest in the nation. Trump claimed the tax burden would soon exceed the cost of the fuel itself and said the federal government “will not stand for it.” Gasoline taxes and surcharges in some states can add more than $1 per gallon to pump prices (see azdeq.gov).
Gasoline retail margins depend on wholesale supply contracts, distribution costs, and local competition, factors that do not always move in lockstep with crude oil benchmarks (see gasstationmerchantservices.com). A president can use public pressure to urge price cuts, but the federal government has limited direct authority to set retail fuel prices absent emergency declarations or congressional action.
Trump’s demand reflects a broader pattern of using social media to press private industry on consumer costs. In the last 30 days, 19 of 564 Trump posts on Truth Social addressed the topic of the economy, signaling sustained attention to pocketbook issues ahead of the legislative calendar.
Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on June 29, 2026 at 6:41 PM EST
Source: Zenger analysis
Note: Table generated by NewsFindr on June 29, 2026 at 6:41 PM EST