Americans already struggling with inflation just got another alarming prediction from the mainstream media — and this one could hit drivers directly in the wallet.
During a recent CNN appearance, one network analyst claimed gas prices may not return to normal for years, leaving many Americans wondering whether relief at the pump is still far away despite President Donald Trump’s confidence that energy prices will eventually fall.
CNN Business senior reporter David Goldman stunned viewers Tuesday when he suggested the era of affordable gasoline may not return until 2032.
“If Americans are expecting gas prices to fall back to around $3 per gallon soon, they may be waiting another six years,” Goldman said during his appearance on The Situation Room.
Even CNN anchor Pamela Brown appeared shocked by the prediction.
“I’m sorry, did I hear you correctly? Did you say 2032?” Brown asked after hearing Goldman’s timeline.
Goldman argued that oil futures markets are signaling a prolonged period of elevated energy prices following the Iran conflict and ongoing instability in the Middle East.
According to Goldman, Brent crude oil would likely need to drop below $70 per barrel before Americans consistently see gas prices under $3 per gallon again. But he warned several major obstacles could prevent that from happening anytime soon.
One major issue, Goldman explained, is the extensive damage done to Iran’s energy infrastructure during the war. He claimed some facilities may take years to rebuild before oil production can fully recover.
Goldman said much of the country’s energy infrastructure suffered major destruction during the conflict and would need significant rebuilding before operations could fully recover.
He specifically pointed to damage involving one of the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export facilities, saying recovery efforts alone could take roughly two years.
Goldman also warned that supply chain disruptions and shipping bottlenecks through the Strait of Hormuz could continue putting pressure on global oil markets long after fighting ends.
Before Operation Epic Fury began in late February, Brent crude traded around $67 per barrel. By Tuesday, oil prices had climbed close to $97 per barrel, fueling renewed concerns about inflation, transportation costs, and rising prices across the economy.
For millions of Americans — especially retirees and working-class families already battling high grocery bills and elevated living costs — rising fuel prices remain one of the most painful reminders of economic uncertainty.
Still, President Donald Trump strongly disagrees with the bleak forecast coming from CNN.
Trump has repeatedly argued that energy prices will collapse once stability returns to the region and American energy production ramps back up.
“As soon as it’s over, you’re going to see gasoline and oil drop like a rock,” Trump said earlier this year.
Many conservatives have echoed that position, arguing that stronger domestic drilling policies, expanded American oil production, and fewer federal restrictions could help lower prices much faster than media analysts predict.
Critics also argue that fear-driven predictions from corporate media outlets often underestimate the strength of America’s energy sector and the impact of pro-energy policies under Trump.
Whether Goldman’s prediction turns out to be accurate remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Americans will be watching gas prices very closely in the months ahead as concerns about inflation, energy costs, and the broader economy continue dominating national conversation.
For now, drivers across the country are left asking one major question:
Will Trump’s energy strategy bring prices back down — or is the media correct that Americans could face years of painful costs at the pump?