California – California’s pain at the pump is turning into a fresh political fight, and Sen. Adam Schiff is putting the blame directly on Donald Trump as the war with Iran continues to shake oil markets and squeeze drivers across the country.
For Californians, the pressure is especially sharp.
The state already has the highest gasoline prices in the nation, and the latest spike has made an expensive reality feel even heavier.
As of May 11, regular unleaded gasoline in California is hovering around $6.16 per gallon, while the national average is about $4.52, according to AAA-linked fuel price data cited in recent market reports.
That gap is nothing new for California. High state fuel taxes, strict environmental rules, limited refining capacity and years of supply challenges have long kept prices above the rest of the country.
But the Iran conflict has added a new layer of volatility, pushing oil prices higher and giving Democrats a new opening to attack Trump over one of his most repeated promises from the 2024 campaign: lowering everyday costs for American families.
Schiff seized on that argument in a May 10 post on X, warning that California drivers could soon see an even more painful number on gas station signs.
“Californians might soon be paying $7 a gallon thanks to the war with Iran. Big Oil? They’re making nearly $7 billion in profits. While oil companies rake it in at the pump, you’re getting hosed,” Schiff wrote.
Californians might soon be paying $7 a gallon thanks to the war with Iran.
Big Oil? They're making nearly $7 billion in profits.
While oil companies rake it in at the pump, you're getting hosed. pic.twitter.com/GbDIOSi565
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) May 10, 2026
The message landed as Shell reported nearly $7 billion in profit following a surge in oil prices tied to the disruption caused by the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, according to a New York Times report. Schiff used that contrast to sharpen his point: while drivers absorb higher costs, major oil companies are still posting enormous earnings.
The warning also carried clear political weight. Trump campaigned heavily on the idea that he would bring down prices, restore stability and make life cheaper for ordinary Americans.
Now, with fuel costs rising and the summer driving season approaching, critics say that promise is colliding with reality. Higher oil prices do not stop at the gas pump. They ripple through delivery costs, food prices, trucking, travel and nearly every part of the economy that depends on fuel.
But Schiff’s post did not go unanswered. The comment section quickly filled with users who argued that California’s problems cannot be pinned on Trump or the Iran war alone.
Many pointed instead to long-running Democratic control in Sacramento, high taxes, refinery constraints and energy policies they say have left the state vulnerable to exactly this kind of shock.
“After democrats have stole trillions of dollars from them already? California’s pay through the nose because the government in California is corrupt! How is your high speed rail working out in California?” one user wrote.
Another commenter pushed the criticism even harder, writing: “California has had the highest gas prices forever because of liberal, socialist politicians leading the state. Again a career politician with no accountability pointing fingers. Need to vote out all you radical leftist politicians who are destroying our country.”
A third user argued that the state had weakened its own energy position.
“Probably shouldn’t have shut down domestic oil production and processing in the state and turned to the middle east to import your petroleum products. Classic mis management of critical resources.”
Another reply was even more blunt.
“Might want to fire up some refineries and get with the program. Stop Buying foreign oil for CA. You made your bed, now you sleep in it Greenies. Go worship a windmill asshole!”
The reaction showed how quickly a fuel price warning can become a broader argument about blame.
For Schiff and other Democrats, the Iran war and oil company profits are now central to the case against Trump’s handling of the economy.
For critics in the comment section, California’s sky-high gas prices are the result of years of policy choices at home.
Either way, the political danger is obvious. If prices keep climbing toward $7 a gallon, California drivers will not be debating theory. They will be staring at the cost in real time, one fill-up at a time.
