logo

Is gasoline 'over $7 now' in California?

By Tom Kertscher
NO

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in California was $5.36 on May 1, 2024, the highest nationally, according to GasBuddy.com.

That contradicts a May 1 claim by former President Donald Trump. Asked about inflation under President Joe Biden, he told a Milwaukee talk radio show, “gas is over $7 now in California.”

News reports on April 23 said gas cost $7.29 per gallon at one station in Menlo Park, California.

When Biden took office in January 2021, gas cost $3.26 in California; it peaked at $6.29 in June 2022. The California peak under Trump was $4.16.

Fact-checkers have reported that presidents have little influence over gas prices. The prices mostly depend on the price of crude oil, which is set on the global market, as well as worldwide supply and demand.

As of May 1, the average price of gas was $3.65 in the U.S. and $3.35 in Wisconsin.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
facebook
twitter
email
email