TEXAS — Gas prices are soaring ahead of the midterm elections, but President Donald Trump’s supporters at campaign rallies in Texas say the rising costs aren’t shaking their loyalty to the president, with some warning that the country’s future is at stake.
“I do experience that costs are high, but I’m in for the long haul and I support everything that he’s been doing,” one supporter told Fox News Digital at Trump’s rally in Lubbock, Texas.
Fox News Digital spoke with Trump supporters at rallies in Lubbock and Corpus Christi, two cities in a state deeply tied to America’s oil and gas industry where voters acknowledged the economic squeeze but remained firmly behind the president. For some, concerns about the country’s future and the rise of socialism are adding urgency to the approaching election.
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at approximately $4.25 on Wednesday, up nearly 40% from roughly $3.05 a year earlier, according to AAA.
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Trump acknowledged the higher costs during his Lubbock rally while pointing to increased American oil production and his administration’s recent energy deal with Venezuela as steps toward bringing prices down.
“Our country is making a fortune while people have to pay more at the pump,” Trump said, adding that gas prices are “going to come down really fast.”
“The ones we care about are our people at the pump,” Trump told the crowd. “And those numbers are going to start coming down very, very rapidly.”
During his earlier stop in Corpus Christi, Trump announced the arrival of the first million barrels of Venezuelan oil secured through an agreement with the South American country, which the White House says is being provided at no cost to American taxpayers and will be refined in Texas.
The administration has touted the agreement as a major step toward expanding America’s energy supply and supporting domestic jobs, arguing that the additional oil will eventually help lower costs for consumers.
The White House said the broader agreement would give the U.S. majority control over approximately 65 billion barrels of proven Venezuelan oil reserves, expanding American access to energy resources as Trump pushes to boost supply and bring down prices.
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Stephen Elsher of Corpus Christi said the economy remains his top concern heading into the midterms, but he believes Republicans are the ones who can turn things around.
“I’d like to see it turn around and do better for this next year,” Elsher told Fox News Digital. “Without the Republicans in charge, we won’t go that direction.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has faced growing pressure from its progressive wing, with democratic socialist candidates gaining prominence and sparking debate over the party’s direction.
Trump repeatedly warned voters against what he described as the “radical left Democrat communist” agenda during his Lubbock rally, arguing that Democratic policies would raise taxes, threaten Texas oil and gas jobs, and weaken border security.
“The choice in this election is very simple,” Trump told supporters, contrasting his economic agenda with what he described as the consequences of Democratic control.
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For some Trump supporters at the Texas rallies, concerns go beyond affordability, with attendees warning that the rise of socialism poses a threat to the country’s future.
“We can’t lose our republic,” Susie, a Corpus Christi supporter, told Fox News Digital, warning that the country is under siege by Democrats, socialists and communists.
Elizabeth Trigo, who attended Trump’s Lubbock rally with her daughters, said the midterms are about more than just the next election, pointing to the country’s future and preserving opportunities for the next generation.
“I think the main reason this election, the midterms, is a lot of it has to do with the future,” Trigo told Fox News Digital. “The most important thing is opportunity again. Trump is on the side of opportunity.”
Trigo said she wants Trump to continue fighting the war on drugs and pushing back against socialism during his remaining two years in office.