Trump Heads to North Carolina As His Self-Created Affordability Crisis Worsens

Trump’s policies have raised costs for the average North Carolina family by nearly $2,000  — and Michael Whatley has happily supported them. 

Washington, DC – Trump will be in the Tar Heel State today as North Carolina families struggle to stay afloat thanks to his self-created affordability crisis. Prices are up for everything from gas to utilities to groceries, and the whole time Trump, his cabinet, and his family are raking in billions. And Michael Whatley has made sure to hop on the same train — he took tens of thousands in donations from Big Oil and Gas in Q2 alone, and before that he was a lobbyist for the same industry that is helping to bankroll his campaign. So while families in North Carolina struggle with the highest gas prices they have seen this late into the year, Trump and Whatley have been lining their own pockets. 

So it is no wonder Whatley continues to support Trump’s policies that have cost North Carolinians thousands of dollars. In fact, a recent report by Climate Power and the Center for American Progress Action Fund found that Trump’s policies have raised costs for the average North Carolina household by nearly $2,000 — climbing to nearly $3,500 for families who buy coverage on the ACA marketplace — driven by higher gas prices, higher utility bills, and Trump’s tariffs. 

REMINDER: The damage doesn’t stop there — the average price of a gallon of regular gas in North Carolina sits just above $4.10, a massive increase of roughly 48%  compared to before Trump launched his war of choice with Iran. We have also seen the highest ever national price for a gallon of diesel, with it currently sitting at $6.31. 

So let’s take a look at just a few of the devastating highlights of Trump’s failed leadership in North Carolina:

• Trump’s war of choice in Iran and efforts to block clean energy raised gasoline costs in North Carolina by $299 through the first half of 2026. By the end of 2026, those additional fuel costs could grow to $749 if costs continue to rise at the same rate.   

• After Trump attacked Iran, the price of fertilizer skyrocketed 45%, hurting farmers right as planting season was about to begin. Diesel prices in North Carolina spiked by 71%, further hurting farmers.
• Since Trump took office, household electricity costs in North Carolina have increased by nearly 18%.
• Trump’s war of choice in Iran and efforts to block clean energy raised utility costs in North Carolina by $91 through the first half of 2026. By the end of 2026, those additional costs could grow to $108 if costs continue to rise at the same rate.
• By 2035, Trump’s clean energy cuts were expected to raise North Carolinians’ annual energy bills by $490, gasoline bills by $228, and wholesale electricity prices by 110%.
• Trump’s attacks on clean energy led to 12 clean energy projects in North Carolina being canceled, lost, or delayed, resulting in 9,935 lost or delayed jobs and $2.3 billion in lost or delayed investment since Trump won the 2024 election.
• Trump’s clean energy cuts were projected to take 26 GW of capacity off the grid in North Carolina, or enough to power nearly 21 million homes for a year at a time when demand is soaring due to data centers. 
• In 2024, Hurricane Helene became the deadliest storm in North Carolina’s history, with 107 deaths and at least $60 billion in damages. In 2025, Trump canceled the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which threatened nearly 70 projects across the state.
• Trump’s tariffs were expected to increase home insurance costs in North Carolina by $103. The National Association of Home Builders estimates a cost increase of $10,900 per home due to tariffs on construction materials, and tariffs were also expected to slow down disaster recovery efforts and make them more expensive.