<p>Gov. <strong>Gavin Newsom</strong> (D-CA) has criticized President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> as higher gas prices at the pump continue to affect ordinary Americans, with bettors on Prediction Markets putting their money on prices surging even higher.</p>



<h2>Lower Gas Prices</h2>



<p>In a post on X on Monday, Newsom’s official press office handle quoted a post that outlined Trump’s plans to build a new helipad at the White House. “Sir, we just want lower gas prices,” the post said.</p>



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<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div>
<blockquote><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sir, we just want lower gas prices. https://t.co/eMVkveegb6</p>— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) May 18, 2026</blockquote>
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<p>According to data collected by the American Automobile Association (AAA), gas prices in California continued to remain the highest in the country, with the average price for a gallon of gas hitting the $6.146 mark on Tuesday. Diesel costs over $7.145/gallon in the state. Mono County residents in California paid an average of $7.069/gallon.</p>



<p>Newsom, in the past, defended the California state gas tax after reports emerged that the state had hiked taxes. Newsom’s press office clarified that there were no changes to the amount of tax levied in California, adding that the high fuel costs were a result of a lack of planning from the Trump administration during the Iran war.</p>



<p>California levies an excise tax of $0.60/gallon of gas, as well as a state sales tax of $0.10/gallon on top of the Federal gas tax of $0.18/gallon.</p>



<h2>Kalshi Bettors Weigh In</h2>



<p>As gas prices surge, bettors on the prediction market platform <strong>Kalshi</strong> bet on a 74% chance that gas prices in California cross the $7.40/gallon mark this year, with a 65% chance that gas prices hit above $7.20/gallon and a 50% chance that prices exceed $7.60/gallon in 2026.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, GasBuddy analyst <strong>Patrick De Haan</strong> commented on global oil inventories, saying that it would take approximately 78 weeks for countries around the world to fill up their oil inventory back to the pre-Iran war levels as the Strait of Hormuz closure continues to pose challenges.</p>



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<p><em>Check out more of Benzinga's Future Of Mobility coverage by</em> following this link.</p>



<p><em>Photo courtesy: Shutterstock</em></p>

<p>California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized former President Trump as gas prices in the state exceed $6 per gallon, with predictions indicating a 74% chance prices could rise to $7.40. Newsom's office attributed high costs to inadequate planning during the Trump administration. Current gas prices average $6.146, with diesel over $7.145. Prediction markets show a significant likelihood of further increases in fuel costs, while analysts note global oil inventory challenges.</p>

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Gavin Newsom Urges Trump To Lower Gas Prices As They Top $6— Traders Sees Over 70% Chance Fuel Costs Touch $7.40 In California