Lead
A hundred days into the US-Israel war on Iran, American households are facing increasing financial pressure at the pump and in the grocery store, in an economy already grappling with the effects of President Donald Trump’s domestic and foreign policies, including tariffs. The war is unpopular, with 66 percent of Americans disapproving of Trump’s handling of the conflict with Iran, according to a recent CBS News poll. That echoed comparable findings in an ABC News/Washington Post Ipsos poll that found 61 percent of Americans said military action in Iran was “a mistake.”
Coverage Comparison
Al Jazeera’s reporting has focused on two interconnected themes: the economic toll on American consumers and Trump’s political efforts to shore up support among rural voters, particularly farmers. One report highlights the financial strain on households, citing data from Moody’s Analytics, while another covers Trump’s visit to Wisconsin, where he sought to reassure farmers hard-hit by tariffs and the war’s economic fallout. Both reports point to the war and Trump’s policies as drivers of rising costs, though the tone varies—one strikes a more critical stance, the other adopts a more neutral tone.
Key Claims
According to an analysis from Moody’s Analytics, households have spent an average of $750 more in expenses due to the war, with the bulk of the spending on energy-related expenses, amounting to $447.19 more than usual. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, described the burden as “a big economic blow,” adding that it hits “already hard-pressed middle- and lower-income households.”
Petrol prices surged on Friday to $4.22 per gallon for regular fuel, up from an average of $2.98 per gallon at the start of the conflict. Inflation jumped to 3.8 percent from 3.5 percent the month prior. As a result, 44 percent of Americans said they are driving less due to high gas prices. The Pentagon has requested $200bn in supplemental spending to fund military operations in Iran.
In Wisconsin, Trump’s visit on Friday for a farming roundtable came months before the midterm elections in November. The stop was aimed at bolstering support for Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden, who has been targeted by Democrats hoping to take control of the chamber. Van Orden has aligned closely with Trump, while his Democratic challenger Rebecca Cook has proven a strong fundraiser and has led in recent polls. Democrats are considered favourites to take control of the US House of Representatives.
The visit was also more broadly aimed at shoring up support among farmers, who largely backed Trump in his 2024 election bid. Farmers have been particularly hard-hit by Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, with many countries limiting imports of US products, notably soybeans, in response. The tariffs have also made importing items needed for daily operations more expensive. The administration has sought to offset the fallout with temporary aid packages. At the same time, fertiliser costs have surged, with 70 percent of farmers reporting they cannot afford all of their fertiliser needs. The average gas price in the US is $4.04 per gallon, and Trump’s approval rating is hovering at all-time lows.