Trump Faces Backlash As Surging Gas Prices Hit Low-Income Drivers

Surging gas prices have hit American drivers hard, with a Washington Post analysis saying that for households in the bottom quarter of the income distribution—those earning roughly $40,000 a year or less—commuting fuel costs consume an average of about 4 percent of their income.

“US households have spent much of this year waiting for the other shoe to drop”

Business Insider

The Washington Post frames the political reaction around President Donald Trump, with commenters focusing on his perceived indifference to rising gas prices and the struggles of average Americans.

Business Insider

In a separate look at retail pricing, Business Insider reported that it visited a warehouse in Wisconsin every few weeks to document on-shelf prices of 45 commonly purchased items across several categories.

Business Insider said that of the 45 items, seven had price increases from January to May and five had price reductions, while the overall change was effectively flat.

Business Insider reported that Walmart said it had absorbed about $175 million in fuel costs rather than immediately passing them along to shoppers, and warned it would likely have to raise prices if things do not change.

Business Insider said Costco has hardly budged the cost of many staples since January, and it attributed the warehouse club’s pricing approach to adding minimal markup and running most of its own supply chain operations.

The report described specific price moves at Costco, including a 19% increase in the price of a two-pound bag of Starbucks coffee beans from $16.80 in January to $19.99 in April.

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Business Insider also said that four-pound packs of organic ground beef that sold in March for $25.99 disappeared from shelves of one local Costco, replaced in May with similar packs of conventional beef costing $24.99.

For motor oil, Business Insider reported that it was in stock and consistently priced throughout its visits, despite headlines over impending shortages.

On Walmart’s earnings call, Business Insider quoted financial chief John David Rainey saying, "We're confident this was the right approach to reinforce customer trust and support share gains over the long term," as the company absorbed fuel costs.

A West Asian analysis in صحيفة الخليج described inflation as a political issue and said it has become a test of governments' credibility, of social contracts, and even of geopolitical stability.

“Democracy Dies in Darkness By Julie Z”

Washingtonpost

The same piece argued that inflation is driven by intertwined pressures, saying energy markets have become more volatile due to geopolitical tensions and the shift to renewable energy sources.

It also said that rising prices do not affect all households equally, noting that lower-income households spend a larger share of their income on basics such as food, housing, and transportation.

In the Washington Post framing of gas prices, the article tied the impact to inequality, saying surging gas prices hit American drivers hard but some much harder than others.

The Washington Post analysis put the burden in income terms, stating that for households earning roughly $40,000 a year or less, commuting fuel costs consume an average of about 4 percent of their income.