Sinclair Broadcast Group's logo with a background of an oil pump on the left, and a wind turbine with solar panels on the right

Molly Butler / Media Matters

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Sinclair's national programs offer a Trump-friendly spin on his costly oil and gas prices, while local broadcasts show harm to Americans

Local stations — including some owned by Sinclair — have been at the forefront of documenting American pain at the pump

Written by Zachary Pleat & Gideon Taaffe

Published

Americans are feeling pain at the pump and elsewhere thanks to the ongoing surge in oil and fuel prices from President Donald Trump’s war on Iran, and local television news stations have been at the forefront of documenting that pain, with even some local stations owned by the right-wing Sinclair Broadcast Group airing such coverage. Sinclair’s national programming, however, has often applied a Trump-friendly spin while discussing high gas prices, downplaying the increases and suggesting they'll be short-lived.

Sinclair’s The National Desk, which airs on more than 70 stations, repeated administration claims early in the war that there would be only a small jump in prices and that the increase would be short-lived, and more recently has hyped seemingly every small drop in prices. And coverage from Sinclair’s Full Measure, which airs weekly on more than 130 stations, has featured a segment attacking California’s energy and environmental policies, much like Fox did, and another segment pushing a promise from Trump that gas prices would soon come down. 

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  • Sinclair’s The National Desk and Full Measure inject Trump-friendly spin into national coverage of high oil and fuel prices

    • On June 2, The National Desk’s Dee Dee Gatton highlighted a 20-cent average decrease in gas prices, saying, “Gas prices are showing their largest weekly decline since the financial crisis in 2008.” The report continued, “The future of gas prices, though, remains unclear as the Iran war continues.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 6/2/26]
    • On May 30, The National Desk’s Ryan Smith noted, “News of a potential ceasefire sending oil prices dropping today.” He continued: “Take a look here: Brent crude oil ending today at $91 a barrel. For the U.S.-based WTI crude, that ended at $87 a barrel.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 5/30/26]
    • On May 28, Smith described a 3-cent dip in the national average of gas prices as a “big impact on gas prices.” Smith: “Now, despite this ongoing, tense back-and-forth here, news of a potential ceasefire had a big impact on gas prices today. Check it out. Falling by 3 cents to a national average of $4.42 a gallon. That price right there, the lowest national average we've seen all this month.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 5/28/26]
    • The National Desk’s Angela Brown highlighted the potential of gas prices lowering due to rumors of a deal between the U.S. and Iran on May 25. Brown said: “Just talk of a deal being close is already having a positive impact on the economy. Crude oil prices dropped about $5 per barrel on Sunday, bringing them under $100 a barrel to their lowest point in nearly two weeks.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 5/25/26]
    • Discussing the possible suspension of the gas tax on May 11, anchor Jan Jeffcoat said: “Here at home, the White House [is] also working to bring down gas prices for you.” She continued: “The Energy Department said it is in talks to possibly suspend the federal gas tax. Well, that could instantly drop prices by as much as 18 cents a gallon. The average price per gallon right now, $4.52.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 5/11/26]
    • In late April, Brown said The National Desk is “following the potential for a massive surge in the global oil supply that some experts think could lead to a major drop in gas prices” after the United Arab Emirates left the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. The National Desk correspondent Matt Galka added, “Now, the immediate impact of this might not be much in the short term because of the Strait of Hormuz still being closed.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 4/29/26]
    • In mid-April, Full Measure aired a segment blaming California’s environmental policies for its “crisis” of “importing record amounts of foreign oil and grappling with escalating fuel prices,” failing to mention the role Trump's Iran war has played. Host Sharyl Attkisson said: “For decades, California leaders have demonized the oil industry while sitting on some of the richest reserves in the U.S. Now, the chickens have come home to roost and there are serious shortages.” Later in the segment, she suggested that “in part, at least, it's the green agenda that's chasing these oil companies out” of the state, adding that “California Gov. Gavin Newsom has put a target on the back of the oil industry since he was first elected.” The Iran war was not even mentioned during this segment. [Sinclair Broadcast Group, Full Measure, 4/19/26]
    • Jeffcoat: Trump's escalation of a blockade against Iran “could soon translate into even more relief at the pump.” She commented, “Global energy markets showing new signs of relief with a big drop in oil prices — new numbers do show U.S. crude oil futures holding steady at just $98 a barrel. The new show of strength overseas could soon translate into even more relief at the pump, as the world watches the impacts of President Trump's new naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 4/14/26]
    • In mid-March, Full Measure aired a segment about “President Trump promising last week both a resolution and a reduction in gas prices soon,” apparently referring to a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Attkisson opened the segment by saying: “Efforts continue to build a coalition of support for shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz.” At the top of the webpage embedding the segment, the program stated: “The president announced an international coalition of countries who have agreed to support escorts for ships through the Strait of Hormuz.” But according to The New York Times, Trump’s plan to reopen shipping in the strait lasted just one day in early May, and only a few ships transited the strait before it was put on hold. [Sinclair Broadcast Group, Full Measure, 3/22/26; The New York Times, 5/5/26]
    • On March 9, Jeffcoat acknowledged that oil prices were “the highest since 2022,” but emphasized that “overnight, oil prices dropped after reports showed G7 leaders were planning an emergency meeting to discuss releasing oil from strategic reserves.” Jeffcoat added: “The White House said it expects prices to drop dramatically, especially when the conflict is over.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 3/9/26]
    • On March 5, as the war in Iran was beginning to affect gas prices, Jeffcoat parroted the White House, saying: “The White House said it does not expect a major jump in gas prices.” She added: “Really, because America's, you know, been increasing domestic energy production lately.” [Sinclair Broadcast Group, The National Desk, 3/5/26]

  • Meanwhile, local news broadcasts, including some from Sinclair stations, are conveying the pain Americans feel at the pump and elsewhere

  • Drivers are being forced to spend more money to fill up their gas tanks

    According to GasBuddy, the average price of gasoline in the United States as of June 8 was $4.09 per gallon, more than $1 higher than it was a year previously. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan wrote on June 1: “$40 BILLION- the cumulative increased cost to American consumers filling with gasoline since the U.S. attack Iran on March 1.”

    • Fox 2 Detroit reported rising gas prices on May 1: “Many drivers who wake up this morning, they're going to see some sticker shock.” [Fox 2 Detroit, 5/1/26]
    • On April 29, CBS Philadelphia talked to residents frustrated with rising gas prices: “It’s painful.” “It’s killing me.” “We’re all feeling the pinch.” [CBS News Philadelphia, 4/29/26]
    • Fox 5 Atlanta reporter on rising gas prices in May: “Folks we spoke to this morning say, yeah, they are feeling the pain of these high prices.” [Fox 5 Atlanta, 5/1/26]
    • A self-described Trump-supporting small business owner told Fox 29 Philadelphia last month that he is frustrated over gas prices: “We didn't vote for that, and we want change.” [Fox 29 Philadelphia, 5/11/26]
    • In Lee County, Florida, drivers expressed shock over gas prices to Gulf Coast News: “It's scary.” “It's ridiculous.” “What the [bleep]?” [Gulf Coast News, 5/7/26]
    • Las Vegas-based Sinclair station KSNV reported on June 5 that “the average household has already spent nearly $450 more on energy costs since the war began.” Citing an analysis from Moody’s Analytics, KSNV explained: “If prices remain at current levels, that figure could climb to roughly $2,000 per household by the end of the year.” [KSNV, 6/5/26]

    Trucking companies are straining under high diesel prices

    The high cost of diesel driven by Trump’s war on Iran is one of the latest factors weighing down the trucking industry, as local news outlets have reported.

    • Minnesota Public Radio on May 6: “As diesel prices spike, Minnesota's trucking industry feeling the hit from war in Iran.” MPR News reported: “Gas and diesel prices in Minnesota are nearing record-high prices as President Donald Trump threatens Iran with more bombing if it doesn’t fully open the Strait of Hormuz and agree to a deal he's put forth to end the war. Fuel prices have skyrocketed since the war on Iran began more than two months ago. According to the AAA, diesel reached a statewide average of $5.43 at the start of May. That’s 14 cents less than the record for Minnesota from June 2022. John Hausladen, president of the Minnesota Trucking Association, said the spike in diesel prices is putting many truckers in a tough spot.” [MPR News, 5/6/26]
    • Missouri's KFVS 12 reported on May 5 that high diesel costs may cause trucking companies to “go under.” [KFVS 12, 5/5/26]
    • Arkansas' 5News reported on May 14 that a local trucking company “has no choice but to pass on any increased costs” from rising diesel prices. [5News, 5/14/26]
    • On May 4, central Iowa’s KCCI NewsChannel 8 interviewed a local trucking company owner about how rising fuel prices are causing increased prices for everyone. [KCCI, 5/4/26]
    • Jackson, Tennessee, outlet 39 News covered the reaction of residents to rising gas and diesel prices: “It's going to be real hard on trucking, construction businesses. The cost of diesel is outrageous.” [39 News, 4/29/26]
    • West Virginia-based Sinclair station WCHS: “Rising diesel prices impact trucking; higher grocery and delivery costs on the horizon.” The WCHS report aired a truck driver mentioning a $300 increase to fill his truck up, and the reporter added: “Large fleets can hedge fuel or negotiate contracts. Small operators are more likely to park trucks or go out of business if the situation drags on.” [WCHS, 3/26/26]

    Farmers are facing higher diesel and fertilizer prices

    Local media and agricultural trade publications have sounded the alarm about how Trump’s war with Iran and its resulting spike in diesel and fertilizer prices are forcing farmers, who operate on “notoriously tight profit margins,” to raise prices and reduce yearly fertilizer purchases.

    • Minnesota’s KSTP 5 News reported on May 3 about a farmer forced to raise prices as a result of rising costs: “As much as we don't want to up our prices, we have to because of everything that's going up.” [KSTP 5 News, 5/3/26]
    • In early May, California's ABC30 Action News spoke to a farmer paying $20K more a month on diesel: “I worry every day we're going to go broke.” [ABC30 Action News, 5/9/26]
    • In April, Seattle NPR station KUOW spoke with a fourth-generation farmer from southern Washington who told the reporter, “We’re seeing fertilizer that is priced beyond what crops can pay for.” He went on to say, “Every day that this conflict continues, the situation probably gets worse.” [NPR, KUOW, 4/7/26]
    • Reporter Brock Owens for Sinclair station WJAC in west-central Pennsylvania noted in early April that impacts of “diesel price spikes” and “fertilizer cost jumping” are hitting farmers “as they are already struggling.” He continued, “About a month ago, farmers told me the hope is market prices would come down soon but they still haven't, which is now causing them to worry as the season of planting crops is in full swing.” [WJAC, 4/3/26]
    • On May 26, News Center Maine reported that many vendors at local farmers markets “say they've had to increase prices” due to high fuel costs. [WCSH-WLBZ NEWS CENTER Maine, 5/26/26]
    • In April, Michigan-based Sinclair station WWMT reported on the surge in diesel prices “hitting truckers and farmers hard,” highlighting an Iowa farmer whose cost to fill a 10,000-gallon fuel barrel has more than doubled. The segment also quoted an agriculture expert saying: “The longer these high prices last, the more difficult it is, and farmers are going to have to absorb that full price.” [WWMT, 4/20/26]

    Food prices are going up, and grocery shoppers, food pantries, and food delivery programs for those in need are all struggling

    Local news stations across the country are reporting that food delivery services for seniors in need are struggling amid high gas and food prices brought on by the Iran war. Local news outlets have also covered grocery shoppers’ frustrations over the resulting higher food prices, and the struggles that food pantries are facing to serve communities in need.

    • On May 15, Missouri's KY3 reported rising diesel prices are hitting meat producers “from the pasture to the processor.” [KY3, 5/15/26]
    • Missouri's KFVS 12 reported on April 30 that gas prices are threatening the survival of a meal delivery service for seniors in need. The program administrator told KFVS: “It’s really put a hurt on us, you know, trying to deliver those meals daily. We just can’t do that anymore.” [KFVS, 4/30/26]
    • Arkansas’ K8 News anchor Diana Davis: “Not only gas prices are rising, but also food prices, which is currently impacting one of Arkansas's most vulnerable groups hard — our seniors.” On May 5, K8 highlighted the East Arkansas Area Agency on Aging, which said a meal that used to cost $5 to prepare a couple of years ago now costs about $9. The agency said it sometimes has to cut back daily visits to weekly ones, delivering frozen meals “instead of a hot meal and a daily check-in.” [K8 News, 5/5/26]
    • In May, NBC Connecticut talked to a food pantry coordinator who said demand has tripled due to the rising cost of gas and groceries. [NBC Connecticut, 5/13/26]
    • 4WWL in New Orleans reported on June 6 that “many families are stretching their grocery budgets even further as children are losing access to school breakfasts and lunches.” A shopper told the reporter that “we have a lot of kids, and it’s difficult.” [4WWL, 6/6/26]
    • West Virginia-based Sinclair station 13WHAM News published an April 22 segment on higher grocery prices, saying, “Grocery prices remain high; many shoppers say they've noticed food packages are shrinking.” The report continued, “New data shows, of the average $741 more Americans are spending on groceries, around $41 comes from smaller package sizes.” [13WHAM News, 4/22/26]