Trump Weighs Federal Gas Tax Suspension as Voter Anger Boils Over Ahead of Midterms

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that his administration is weighing a suspension of the federal gasoline tax, a move aimed at easing voter anger over rising fuel costs just one month before the midterm elections. Trump made the remark in response to a question about whether the tax should be suspended, saying, “We’re thinking about that.”

The federal gas tax, currently 18.4 cents per gallon, funds highway and transit projects through the Highway Trust Fund. Suspending it would require congressional approval and could blow a hole in infrastructure spending, though Trump did not provide details on the scope or duration of any suspension. The comment comes as Republicans face headwinds from persistent inflation, with gasoline prices a highly visible pocketbook issue for voters.

The proposal drew immediate skepticism from budget hawks and transportation advocates, who warn it would drain the Highway Trust Fund without guaranteeing that savings are passed on to consumers. Democrats are likely to frame the idea as a political stunt, while some Republicans may worry it undercuts their fiscal discipline message. With midterms approaching, the White House faces pressure to deliver tangible relief, but any legislative path remains uncertain.