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Trump's push to lower gas prices before midterms struggles
Gas prices are influenced by many factors beyond presidential control, complicating White House efforts to lower them before voting day.
On air: Gloria Vance on Best of BBNPublished
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia CommonsThe Short: the best minute of this segment, cut vertical for your thumb. More about this Short
At a glance
- First reported by Business Insider: “Trump's quest to bring down gas prices ahead of the midterms is not going great”.
- Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 3:23 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Gloria Vance.
- Topics: Trump.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe White House wants cheaper gas before the midterms, and Business Insider says the effort is not going great.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorJulian Marchetti advises firms on exactly this. Julian, why is it hard?
Julian MarchettiGloria, as the data would suggest, gas prices are influenced by many things, and a president is only one of them.
Julian MarchettiThat insight is on my slide.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorYour slide says what, exactly?
Julian MarchettiIt says Prices Are Prices. It's laminated. My firm bills four thousand dollars an hour for it, and frankly that's a bargain.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSo the driver who winces at the pump every week already holds your conclusion.
Julian MarchettiAs the data would suggest, the driver has the conclusion. What the driver lacks is the typography.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorTypography. Let me ask again: can the White House lower prices before the vote, yes or no?
Julian MarchettiAs the data would suggest, that depends on whether prices go down. If they go down, yes. If they go up, that's a different deck.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorA different deck.
Julian MarchettiA second deck, yes. It's eleven thousand dollars, and it says the first deck was right.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorI have covered fuel shortages on four continents, and nobody ever billed me to confirm that gas was expensive.
Julian MarchettiAs the data would suggest, you were underpaying, and I'd gladly look at your invoices. That consultation is nine hundred dollars.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThen tell me what this conversation cost, so I can warn the network.
Julian MarchettiThe answer is free, Gloria. Saying that out loud was four hundred dollars.
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From the archive: everything BBN aired on Monday, October 12, 2026 · the Your Money archive · all months
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