Trump Calls $4.27 Gas Prices 'Short-Term Pain' at Texas Rally for Paxton

President Donald Trump on Tuesday defended the war with Iran and urged voters to accept elevated fuel costs, saying pump prices will fall "very soon" once the conflict ends. The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $4.27, up from $2.98 before the war, according to AAA. Speaking in Corpus Christi, Trump called the price surge "short-term pain... for long-term gain" and hailed an oil tanker arriving from Venezuela, whose crude he said would be refined in Texas. The administration has touted control over Venezuela's natural resources after capturing former leader Nicolás Maduro. High energy prices have become the dominant issue in the midterm election and are weighing on Republican candidates in reliably red states. Trump was campaigning for Senate candidate Ken Paxton, whose race against Democrat James Talarico has drawn national attention as Democrats need a net four seats to take the chamber.