Trump’s Energy Promises Clash with Rising Electricity Costs, Report Finds

During his 2024 campaign, former President Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to halve energy bills for Americans if re-elected. However, a new congressional report indicates that average electricity costs have actually increased since he left office.

Report Details Increased Costs

A report released on March 17, 2026, by the minority staff of the Joint Economic Committee reveals that the average American household’s annual electric bill rose by $110 between 2024 and 2025, representing a 6.4% increase.

Trump’s 2024 Energy Plan

In September 2024, addressing the Economic Club of New York, Trump stated, “My plan will cut energy prices in half or more than that within 12 months of taking office. It will be an economic revival of our country like no one has ever seen before. Energy was what caused our problem initially. Energy is going to bring us back. That means we’re going down and getting gasoline below $2 a gallon, bring down the price of everything from electricity rates to groceries, airfares, and housing costs.”

Policy Shifts and Contributing Factors

While in office, President Joe Biden oversaw the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated substantial federal funding to clean energy infrastructure. These acts included tax credits aimed at lowering clean energy costs for consumers and improving home energy efficiency.

Since returning to office, Trump has taken steps to reverse these provisions, including halting solar and wind energy projects, canceling $8 billion in clean energy initiatives, and reducing funding for unspent Inflation Reduction Act clean energy programs.

Alongside these policy changes, factors such as Trump’s tariffs on imported goods, grid damage linked to climate change, and growing energy demands from data centers have contributed to higher electricity prices.

Committee Response

Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, stated, “American families don’t need a report to tell them that the President has broken his campaign promise to slash energy costs; they already feel the impact of President Trump’s actions every single day. But this report is yet another indication that sky-high costs are continuing to rise – and are continuing to hurt American families.”

Gasoline Prices and Regional Impacts

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, national average gasoline prices have not fallen below $2 per gallon since Trump’s return to the White House, with the lowest recorded price being $2.779 in January. AAA data indicates that the average cost of a gallon of regular gas in Michigan increased from $2.944 a month ago to $3.753 following the launch of military strikes on Iran.

Families in Michigan experienced a 6.3% increase in their electricity bills, resulting in an additional $90 in costs in 2025.

A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.