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FACT BRIEF

Have gas prices risen 48% under President Joe Biden?

By Tom Kertscher
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NO

Gasoline prices have risen under President Joe Biden, but not by 48% under an apples-to-apples comparison.

The average weekly price was $2.38 per gallon the week of Jan. 18, 2021 — when President Donald Trump left office and Biden was inaugurated.

It was $3.06 the week of Jan. 15, 2024 — 29% higher.

The price was $3.13 the week of July 12, 2021, and $3.50 the week of July 15, 2024 — 12% higher.

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., claimed July 15, 2024, at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee that gas prices have increased 48% under Biden.

An RNC spokesperson cited an apples-to-oranges comparison, using AAA figures from January 2021 and July 2024.

Gas prices peak in summer, as demand increases, and are lower in winter.

Presidents have little influence. Gas prices mostly depend on the price of crude oil, set on the global market, as well as worldwide supply and demand.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
US Energy Information Administration Weekly U.S. Regular All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices (Dollars per Gallon)
Right Side Broadcasting Network WATCH: Sen. Katie Britt Speaks at 2024 RNC in Milwaukee, WI - 7/15/2024
CNN Fact check: Gas prices when Trump left office were much higher than he now claims
AAA Gas Prices
U.S. Energy Information Administration Gasoline Explained
Wisconsin Watch Is gasoline ‘over $7 now’ in California?
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.