White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is facing heat after a claim about energy costs under President Donald Trump that’s at odds with reality.

Leavitt on Wednesday defended Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent ― who was at her side ― for dismissing rising gas prices due to the war with Iran as “small bit of economic pain” that would ultimately prove worth it.

“This is a short-term disruption for the long-term strategic goal of the United States to ensure that the world’s leading state sponsor of terror cannot obtain a nuclear weapon,” she insisted. “That’s a good thing for the American people.”

Then, she took it a step further as she delivered some over-the-top praise for Trump.

“Thank goodness we have a president in an administration that believes in American energy dominance, in bringing down prices at the pump,” she said. “Look at how gas prices decreased over the past year since this president was in office.”

Gas prices ― which were largely stable through 2025 ― dipped briefly below $3 a gallon in January, but then surged by more than $1 a gallon after the United States and Israel launched a war with Iran in February.

The war has disrupted traffic at the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s petroleum must pass. Crude oil prices have jumped, which in turn has led to a surge in the price of gasoline.

Bessent predicted that gas prices would drop again― but not right away, as he said on Wednesday he was “optimistic that during the summer we will see gas with a three in front of it.”

Leavitt also predicted gas prices would drop when the war ends and the strait reopens.

But so far, negotiations to end the war have gone nowhere ― and given that fuel prices are still rising and expected to remain high at least for now, critics called out Leavitt for her claim that Trump has been “bringing down prices at the pump.”

They fired back on X:

Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in years, rising over 21% in the last month. Another shameless lie to the American people. https://t.co/QhQL3p5p5e

Tell that to everyone now paying the skyrocketing gas prices your boss directly caused, Karoline. Up 94 CENTS A GALLON nationally from a year ago today.Donald Trump's administration continues to live in an alternate universe. What a completely detached failure. https://t.co/hKs3qhvzZZ

Next level gaslighting. https://t.co/DCogXUbScx pic.twitter.com/VyN1hRD6O9

Gas prices are up over a DOLLAR a gallon for most Americans because of Trump's war of choice. Is the White House celebrating 4/20 a few days early? https://t.co/kCsd7uCW4K

I’ve seen a lot of gaslighting and propaganda in my research over the years, but this takes the prize. They must think their supporters are complete idiots to believe that. https://t.co/JhYkIlL9IN

Karoline Leavitt, speaking into the camera to the American people with a straight face: "Look at how gas prices decreased over the past year since this president was in office."I am thoroughly convinced this entire administration is on crack. https://t.co/hhhP6rRYBY

Wut? pic.twitter.com/47pN4HdnVJ

It’s insulting at this point. I can read a sign at a gas station. Prices are up. https://t.co/vzZupLrjpP

Bringing down prices? The average price of gas today was $4.11. When Biden left office it was $3.08.Not sure what planet you're living on @presssec but people KNOW what they are paying for gas. Your cont'd lies just piss everyone off. Stop ur fucking lying. https://t.co/8euCSOC9N0

I have never in my 44 years of life paid more than $4.00 per gallon of gas ever in my entire life until three days ago. So, Miss me with this lie and gaslighting . . . https://t.co/dHPooSTdCB

Not sure what planet these people live on. It isn't this one. https://t.co/Rl43D7h3Rd

If you disregard objective reality, she has a point. https://t.co/vCir42Qiqa

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