Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker posted on X after Vice President JD Vance said Americans should be grateful gas prices are not higher, noting that diesel had reached a record $5.82 a gallon and arguing the administration was asking the public to be thankful things were not worse. The post quickly drew replies from Illinois users who said the governor was overlooking the state’s own fuel taxes, which they argued add to what drivers pay at the pump.
The video shows Vance at a White House lectern discussing pump prices. In the clip, he says, “The reason gas prices are high right now is that the Iranians are shooting at commercial shipping,” then adds, “We’ve been quite successful up to this point. Gas, frankly, could’ve been much, much higher were it not for our efforts.” He also says, “I’m not going to make a promise about when it’s going to return to $3.” The footage is a briefing excerpt and does not show the questions that came before or after.
Pritzker wrote that Vance was telling Americans to be “grateful gas prices aren’t higher,” that diesel had hit a record $5.82 a gallon, and that “this administration wants you to be thankful they haven’t screwed you worse.”
State records show Illinois’ motor fuel tax is 48.3 cents a gallon on gasoline and 55.8 cents on diesel during a temporary pause of the scheduled July 2026 inflation adjustment.
What Illinois Users Said After Pritzker Tagged Vance
Many replies to Pritzker focused on Illinois taxes rather than Vance’s remarks. One user wrote, “Ridiculous statement considering the taxes we pay in Illinois.” Another said, “You left out the part about how Illinois is the reason that record was broken.”
Several commenters compared prices with nearby states. One asked, “Wonder why things are cheaper in neighboring states? It’s not Donald Trump! It’s not JD Vance!”
Another wrote, “My gas would be cheaper without Pritzker’s gas tax,” citing about 48 cents a gallon on regular and 56 cents on diesel.
Others pointed to state policy over time. One reply said Illinois “still runs one of the highest diesel tax loads in the country.”
Another claimed the state gas tax “has gone up 154%” since Pritzker became governor and argued, “You run IL, not Trump.”
For now, the exchange sits inside a broader argument over who is responsible for high pump prices. Online replies to Pritzker, however, remain focused on Illinois’ own fuel taxes as much as on Vance’s remarks.
