Trending Now - Rising Costs Hit Americans Hard as Economic Outlook Dims

WHO:

Alternet - Kraft Heinz CEO Steve Cahillane stated that lower-earning Americans are struggling financially.

Alternet - McDonald's CEO Christopher Kempczinski warned that higher gas prices are impacting lower-income Americans.

CNN - Chris Bambury is a gas station owner in Sonoma Valley, California.

CNN - Harry Singh has owned a gas station in Nutley, New Jersey, since 2009.

CNN - Lonnie McQuirter is a gas station owner in Minneapolis.

WHAT:

Alternet - Americans are spending down their savings to the lowest rate in years.

Alternet - Lower-earning households bought 7 percent less gas in March due to rising prices.

Alternet - The national average price of gas hit $4.52 per gallon, up from $3.13 when Trump was inaugurated.

CNN - The price for a gallon of regular gas at Chris Bambury's stations was $6.29, while the average price in his county was $6.36.

CNN - The average gap between wholesale and retail gas prices is about 22 cents per gallon.

CNN - The average gross margin for gas stations over the last five years was 38.3 cents per gallon.

WHERE:

Alternet - The economic struggles are affecting Americans nationwide, particularly in lower-income brackets.

CNN - Chris Bambury operates gas stations in Sonoma Valley, California.

CNN - Harry Singh's gas station is located in Nutley, New Jersey.

CNN - Lonnie McQuirter's gas station is in Minneapolis.

WHEN:

Alternet - The price of gas has increased roughly 45 percent since Trump was sworn in as president last year.

CNN - Chris Bambury was selling gas for $4.79 before the war in Iran started in late February.

CNN - Lonnie McQuirter will mark his 21st year in business next month.

WHY:

Alternet - Inflation is erasing wage gains, attributed to the war in Iran.

CNN - Rising wholesale gas prices, credit card fees, and delivery charges are squeezing gas station owners.

HOW:

Alternet - Lower-income Americans are using public transit more and trying to carpool to cope with rising gas prices.

CNN - Gas station owners are balancing their costs with what they believe customers can afford to pay.

(UPDATED May 11, 2026 15:58 UTC)

Kraft Heinz CEO Steve Cahillane and McDonald's CEO Christopher Kempczinski have both highlighted the financial struggles facing lower-earning Americans, who are now spending down their savings at the lowest rate in years. The national average price of gas has surged to $4.52 per gallon, with some stations, like those owned by Chris Bambury in Sonoma Valley, charging as much as $6.29, leading to a 7 percent drop in gas purchases among lower-income households in March. As inflation continues to erase wage gains, many are turning to public transit and carpooling to cope with these rising costs, while gas station owners are trying to balance their expenses with what customers can afford.