President Donald Trump publicly contradicted Energy Secretary Chris Wright after Wright said gas prices might not fall below $3 per gallon until next year.
The disagreement came as fuel costs remain a major political problem for the White House.
According to the report, national average gas prices have climbed by more than $1 per gallon since the start of the Iran conflict and now sit above $4, citing AAA data.
Wright made the remarks during an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN.
Asked when prices could fall back below $3, Wright said he did not know.
He said it could happen later this year or it might not happen until next year.
Wright added that prices had likely peaked and should begin falling, especially if the Iran conflict is resolved.
Trump quickly rejected that timeline.
Speaking to The Hill, Trump said Wright was “wrong on that” and added, “Totally wrong.”
Trump then gave his own prediction, saying prices would drop “as soon as this ends,” referring to the war with Iran.
The split matters because gas prices are one of the most visible economic indicators for voters.
Consumers may not follow bond yields or industrial output, but they notice every fill-up.
That makes gasoline prices politically dangerous, especially heading into midterm elections.
Trump has repeatedly argued prices will be “much lower” before the midterms.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also predicted last week that gas could return to the $3 range by summer.
Those statements now conflict with Wright’s more cautious timeline.
The broader issue remains oil markets.
The report said the Strait of Hormuz had reopened for commerce during a ceasefire period, helping oil settle near $90.38 per barrel.
But after U.S. forces reportedly seized an Iranian cargo ship in the strait, peace talks were thrown into doubt and oil prices rose again.
That chokepoint is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
Any threat there can rapidly increase crude prices and then gasoline prices.
The administration is also pursuing diplomacy.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner were expected to continue talks in Pakistan aimed at ending the conflict, according to the report.
For voters, the political question is simple: when will prices fall?
For markets, the answer depends on whether the conflict ends, whether shipping lanes remain open, and whether global supply stays stable.
For Trump, the challenge is internal discipline.
When cabinet officials publicly offer different forecasts than the president, it creates doubt.
Wright may have been giving a realistic market answer.
Trump gave a political one.
If prices drop quickly, Trump looks right. If they stay high into next year, Wright will have been the honest voice.
