Trump says he aims to suspend gas tax "for a period of time"

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

Updated on: May 11, 2026 / 12:20 PM EDT / CBS News


Washington — President Trump said in a phone interview with CBS News Monday morning that he aims to suspend the federal gas tax "for a period of time.". "I think it's a great idea," the president said. "Yup, we're going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we'll let it phase back in."

Gas prices have soared over 50% since the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28, hitting a high of over $4.52 on Sunday, according to AAA. Analysts say the prices are likely to remain high with Iran blocking access to the Strait of Hormuz. But suspending the excise taxes — 18.4 cents per gallon on gas and 24.4 cents a gallon on diesel — requires an act of Congress, and pausing it would cost the federal government about a half billion dollars a week.

Following Cordes' interview, Reublican Sen. Josh Hawley said Monday that he would introduce legislation to suspend the federal gas tax. Several Democratic lawmakers had already introduced legislation to either pause or lower it. Revenue raised by the federal gas tax goes toward the Highway Trust Fund to construct and repair roadways, and it also pays for other transit projects.

In the interview, Mr. Trump rejected the idea of a bailout for U.S. air carriers as they contend with jet fuel costs that have more than doubled since the start of the war with Iran. A bailout proposal "hasn't really been presented," he said. "The airlines are doing not badly."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-interview-suspending-gas-tax-iran-war/

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NOTE

But suspending the excise taxes — 18.4 cents per gallon on gas and 24.4 cents a gallon on diesel — requires an act of Congress, and pausing it would cost the federal government about a half billion dollars a week.

[no_hypocrisy]

1. $6.50 and higher per gallon.

Cutting 50 cents doesn’t make gas affordable. Meanwhile, the unaddressed potholes from no gas tax will add a repair bill bill for new struts/shocks.

[Bengus81]

2. The Fed fuel tax is 18 cents per gallon or reg fuel. Hell,that just gives oil companies

the incentive to jack up prices another 18 cents. This has been discussed by various Pres but it won't work in the long run.

[gab13by13]

3. Not only that

Krasnov is talking about helping out Big Farma by allowing 15% ethanol in gasoline.

I guess I will be busy cleaning out the carburetors in my lawnmower and snowblower, either that or buy higher octane gas.

[JT45242]

6. I switched to battery operated electric for snow blower and mower after wrecking too many carburetors with blended gas

Luckily, most of our electricity comes from wind where I live so it was a pretty green option.

[Bengus81]

8. Put one of those small,round type of fuel filter on small 22" mowers and you'll never have

a problem again. I've done that for 4-5 years now on my Toro personal pace and it runs fine. Just changed it out this year and you could see the dirt inside the filter that was stopped from going through.

[no_hypocrisy]

14. Thanks for the correction

[twodogsbarking]

4. We could extend the use of solar and wind power.

I had better take that back or the Jusice Dept will investigate me.

[MuchBetterThanThis]

5. Pssst.. Orange jackass..

If you didn’t follow NetanYahoos orders and start a war then you wouldn’t need a gas tax freeze, ya moron🤷🏾

[angrychair]

7. Where is that money coming from?

We are going to be so far in debt we are screwed

[Bengus81]

9. He wants to pull this fuel tax stunt to blame for the trillions of debt he's racked up

on massive tax cuts to the filthy rich and Corporations since 2018 and his illegal War.

[bluedigger]

10. We may lose a bridge here or there, but frequent fliers should be unaffected

Thank you for your inattention to this matter.

[Prairie Gates]

20. You have to take a highway to the airport

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

11. Who needs good roads?

Right Donny boy.

[rurallib]

12. sounds like he is doing something when he won't really do a thing

go battery folks!

[chowder66]

13. How about ending the war you started and stop stealing our fucking money.

States should impose a wealth tax for a "period of time".

[jgmiller]

15. Like always the oil companies will wait a few weeks

and then start bumping prices up to cover the $0.18 and then when oil goes down they will bake that in. Once again we will get fleeced and the national debt will go up some more.

[republianmushroom]

16. So trump is going to rob Peter to pay Paul,

that is all this boils down to. What are they going to rob to raise money for what the gas tax is used for ?

trumps illegal war biting him in the ass. How about end the ballroom ?

[Jughead]

17. 18 cents?

Gas went up 18 cents in the last 3 days? Where is the lost revenue gonna come from?

[louis-t]

18. "He's" not going to do anything.

The Congress will have to allow it. Hey Stinky, how about ending the ignorant war with Iran instead of running up more debt for someone else to pay?

[Prairie Gates]

19. Suspending the gas excise tax will mean suspending the highway projects it funds

Notably, many of these projects are the sole employers of white working class men in rural areas.

Projects are going to be canceled across the country, though probably not until next summer or the one after. Trump has fucked the MAGAs again, in other words. The consequences of their actions will have a long tail.

Trump's war jacks up gas prices, which causes a suspension of the federal excise tax, which will cause shortfalls in the federal highway funds, which will cause cancelation of the highway projects in rural areas that mostly employ young white working class men, who overwhelmingly, thus, voted enthusiastically for their own unemployment.

Tra la.

If this didn't also result in increased highway deaths as infrastructure crumbles, it would almost be bitterly funny. You live in a global economy, fellas, whether you like it or not.

[rogue emissary]

21. Didn't think I'd see Platner agreeing with the Felon before Nov election.