With the election season drawing near, many candidates have doubled down on their campaign efforts, and one Governor candidate from California even promised gas prices as low as $3 per gallon. However, the way he presented it drew some flak online after social media users called him out for lying about average gas prices in California, leading to a raging debate online.
California Governor candidate Steve Hilton is the budding politician in question, and on June 24, he posted a video on his X account praising Texas for its $3.59/gallon gas, then claiming that “In L.A. on Monday it [the gas] was $8.59.” Hilton went on to claim, “Californians: It’s not the Iran war. It’s not ‘Trump.’ It’s Democrat policies that have given us the highest gas prices in America.” Immediately, however, Hilton was called out.
Plenty of his fellow Californians flocked to the post’s comment section and questioned Hilton’s claims about the exorbitant LA gas price he claimed. “Where Mr. Hilton?” asks one commenter, “The current average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in California is approximately (\$5.53).” Another commenter accused Hilton of lying to push an agenda and supposedly earn more favor from President Donald Trump, “So ridiculously Trumpian, you mights as well just put on a mask and pretend to be him, you dumb f’n”
People didn’t like Hilton’s exaggeration
Needless to say, the commenters were quick to point out that the average gas price in California and in LA is around $5.50, which was actually lower than what it was a month ago at $6.61. As for the $8.59/gallon gas that Hilton referred to, many critics pointed out that that was the case for only one Chevron gas station in the area and used this fact against Hilton, “There is a single station in LA that charges $3 above other stations. If you bought gas there, it’s a reflection on your stupidity.”
Chevron, for the record, has posted announcements in its gas stations blaming Democrats and even California Governor Gavin Newsom for why they charge higher gas prices. Hilton seems to have echoed Chevron’s sentiments on the matter. Hence, commenters are asking where exactly the candidate got the facts for his bold claims.
“Please name the specific policy that democrats passed in California that directly raised gas prices” inquires one commenter. Others have pointed out that Hilton’s attempt at painting California gas prices higher for his campaign is not exactly a success, “One $8.59 Chevron station makes a great campaign ad. They are famous in the country to be the most expensive. AAA says the Los Angeles average is about $5.56, not $8.59. If we’re debating policy, let’s use averages—not the most expensive gas station in town.”
