Megyn Kelly did not hold back as she sharply criticized President Donald Trump and Senator Rick Scott over the current state of gas prices. During an episode of The Megyn Kelly Show on Sirius XM, Kelly addressed the rising prices at the pump, which have reached $4.39 per gallon. Since the war began, the average nationwide price for unleaded gas has climbed by more than 47 percent.
According to Mediaite, when asked about the financial burden on Americans who are paying $1.24 more for gas than before, Scott defended the administration’s position. He acknowledged that he hates seeing prices go up, but argued that the trade-off is necessary. Scott said the cost is worth it to ensure the country lives in freedom and democracy, and to avoid the threat of a nuclear weapon.
Kelly immediately pushed back, calling the explanation “f—ing bullsh—” on air. She pointed out that intelligence assessments, including those from Trump’s own team before the war began, indicated that Iran was not close to getting a nuclear bomb. She also reminded listeners that Trump had previously said nuclear sites in Iran were obliterated back in June. Kelly noted that public approval for the war is very low, with two-thirds of Americans currently opposing it.
Gas prices are squeezing middle America while those in power seem out of touch
Kelly emphasized that while the administration may be focused on its own messaging, regular people are feeling the financial pain every day. She pointed out that gas prices likely do not matter to the Trump family, but they certainly matter to middle America. She described the common experience of people constantly checking prices and searching for the cheapest gas in their area, calling it a daily struggle for most Americans.
This is just one of many ways the Trump administration’s decisions are directly affecting everyday Americans’ lives. The situation in the energy market is serious. U.S. crude oil recently closed at about $102 per barrel, while international benchmark Brent crude ended the week at around $108 per barrel. Analysts at Citigroup have warned that Brent could climb as high as $150 per barrel if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed through the end of June.
Chevron CEO Mike Wirth said the global energy system is under extreme stress, and Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods noted that about 15 percent of their oil production is currently impacted by the conflict. Experts are skeptical that gas prices would drop right away. Iran has shown it can effectively halt ship traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz.
Even if the strait were to reopen, experts estimate it could take up to two months for oil flows to normalize, and another month for that supply to reach customers. Despite Trump’s claims that gas prices will drop “like a rock” as soon as the war ends, the reality of the global energy market suggests prices will likely stay high for a while longer.
On Capitol Hill, political pressure is also building. The war has crossed the 60-day mark, which normally triggers requirements under the 1973 War Powers Resolution for the president to seek authorization from Congress. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that is not necessary because the United States is not technically at war.
It has also been a turbulent period for the president in other ways, as Trump was recently rushed out amid a security scare at his own correspondents’ dinner. Meanwhile, frustrated consumers are turning to online communities like Reddit to share their experiences, with residents in states like Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Iowa voicing their dissatisfaction.
As the country heads into another weekend of uncertainty, the gap between what the administration is saying and what Americans are experiencing at the gas pump continues to grow. Cities like Kalamazoo, Michigan, are among those facing some of the highest prices in the nation. For many households, the daily cost of filling up a tank has become a real and pressing concern, one that no amount of political messaging seems to be easing.
Published: May 3, 2026 10:01 am