By Georgina McCartney
HOUSTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) – Americans have paid more for their gasoline and diesel at the pump on average during President Donald Trump’s second term than they did under his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, according to the AAA.
Surging fuel prices are a major thorn in Trump’s side as midterm elections loom and the Republican Party looks to defend narrow majorities in both legislative chambers on November 3.
The price of a gallon of regular gasoline has averaged $3.472 a gallon since Trump took office almost two years ago, edging out the $3.471-per-gallon average for Biden’s term, according to data from the AAA.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Prices for diesel, the fuel that powers the global economy from agriculture and heavy industry to shipping, have also surpassed Biden’s national average under Trump, at $4.343 a gallon compared with $4.078 a gallon.
US diesel hit a record high on September 22 at $6.523 a gallon as wars in Ukraine and Iran disrupt global fuel supplies.
Trump’s approval rating fell to a record low this month as Americans worried about high gasoline prices, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on October 19.
Some 31% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance in office, down a percentage point from two weeks earlier and the lowest level in either of his presidential terms, the four-day poll showed. Just 23% of adults polled nationwide approve of his handling of the economy.
(Reporting by Georgina McCartney in Houston; editing by David Gaffen)
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