Gas Prices and Big Decisions: Why Some Voters Stand by Trump

High gas prices are hitting rural Colorado hard. Amy Van Duyn, who works at Stubs liquor store in Wiggins, now pays 50% more to fill up than she did when Trump returned to office. She used to spend $36 for a full tank. Now, that money buys barely half. Her coworker Tonyah Bruyette feels the pinch too—every dollar spent on gas means less for groceries. Despite the pain, they both support Trump, who won their county by a huge margin in the last election. Trump’s tough stance on Iran has driven gas prices over $4. 50 nationwide. Polls show most Americans blame him for the rising costs. When asked if he worries about people struggling financially, Trump said no. His focus? Stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons. Democrats call this out as tone-deaf, especially since his approval on the economy has dropped to just 30%.Yet in rural Colorado, many voters still back him. They see Iran as a real threat and believe the cost is worth it. Some even say they’ve dealt with worse—like Miller, a 65-year-old retired trader who compares gas prices to wartime rationing. He’s willing to sacrifice now for safety later. Others, like Mike Urbanowicz, a grain trader in Roggen, admit the prices hurt his business. He doesn’t think Trump can fix it fast—and expects prices to stay high even if peace talks work out. Still, he votes for Trump because he fears Democrats more. To him, Trump’s flaws are the better option. Younger voters, like 22-year-old Lexys Siebrands, who owns a tattoo shop, also defend Trump. She switched from Democrat to Republican, believing war with Iran was coming no matter what. Her mother, Jyl, agrees—she hates high prices but fears a nuclear Iran even more. For them, the trade-off is simple: pain now, safety later. What’s clear? For these voters, Trump’s trade policies and Iran strategy matter more than their wallets. But how long can they hold out before the economic strain becomes too much?