Are You Better Off? American Families Paid the Price for Trump’s Iran War

Thanks to Trump’s ill-advised war of choice, the average U.S. household has already paid $450 more on gas and energy

Washington, DC – As Donald Trump prepares to officially unveil his agreement with Iran following months of conflict, American consumers have been left holding the bag and figuring out how to make ends meet. The average U.S. household is paying $450 more on gas and energy, and American consumers have spent tens of billions of dollars more at the pump. And there is no relief on the horizon, with analysis indicating that returning to “normal” will be a “lengthy” process for everything from gas to groceries to travel.

While Trump now seeks credit for ending the conflict he started, American consumers and the global economy have already paid a steep price. In the near term, as the nation gears up to celebrate July 4th and America 250, cookouts are more expensive than ever, with the cost of backyard staples soaring:

• Ground beef prices are up 12% from last year.
• Hot dog prices have increased nearly 8%.
• Lettuce prices have risen 21% since May 2025.
• Tomato prices have surged 46% since May 2025.
• Higher propane prices are making gas grilling more expensive.
• Rising aluminum costs are driving up the price of canned beer and soda.

And the pain doesn’t stop in people’s backyards. Airfare has jumped nearly 27% as airlines add fuel surcharges and raise baggage fees. And as we inch toward a summer of extreme heat thanks to a historically significant El Niño, cooling homes is more expensive, with the average household expected to pay $800 on cooling costs.

While Americans are struggling to enjoy the holidays, keep the lights on, and afford a full tank of gas, Congressional Republicans are pretending that it’s business as usual. Trump himself has claimed that he loves inflation, and it’s clear why. His Big Oil donors have been raking in profits all at the expense of the American people. 

Climate Power Communications Director Alex Glass released the following statement: “As the Trump administration tries to bring its war with Iran to a close, Americans are left asking a simple question: are you better off? Thanks to Trump’s recklessness, families paid more for gas, groceries, travel, and electricity — and higher fuel costs drove up prices across the entire economy. The only ones who came out ahead were Trump’s Big Oil and Gas donors. Working families are still footing the bill.”