KDP Statement on Trump’s War-Induced Price Hikes on Energy, Gas and Housing

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Today, Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) Chair Colmon Elridge released the following statement on new reports that Kentuckians are spending more on gas, energy, food and housing as a direct result of Republican policies, including President Trump’s tariffs and war in Iran:

“Campaign promises mean nothing to President Trump. He pledged to end wars and lower costs. In office, he is actively doing the opposite. Kentuckians have lost jobs, farms and health care because of policies like tariffs and the big ugly federal budget. Now he wants taxpayers to fork over $200 billion for a war he just claimed is ‘very complete,’ all while gas, energy and housing prices skyrocket and he refuses to tell us why we’re even fighting.”

The financial reality Kentuckians face as Trump pursues his agenda includes:

• Kentucky gas prices spiking by more than a dollar in less than a month
• Kentucky electricity bills jumping by an average of nearly 12%
• Mortgage rates climbing to 6.22%
• 60% of all Kentuckians having to choose between food and utilities because of costs
• 65% of all Kentuckians skipping or downsizing meals because of costs
• Credit card debt reaching an all-time high
• Farm bankruptcies in Kentucky’s region jumping by 70%
  

Finally, Republican policies are now expected to increase the national debt past $40 trillion by the midterm elections. The jump is driven in part by Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, which gave billionaires massive tax breaks and left 35 rural Kentucky hospitals at risk of closure, with some already firing workers and closing wards.