Alaska Voters Express Discontent with Trump Amid Rising Costs

<figure><img alt="US President Donald Trump attends a rally at Butler High School in Vandalia, Ohio, US, October 3, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/JKN2CWYDKFA2JNFWFZCJ3WXJBI.JPG?auth=f5b4a7c3f3d0c686dbcbee28186b24008d852508ac1bfa6d4d3a2834975254c6&amp;smart=true&amp;width=4546&amp;height=2557" /><figcaption>Nathan Howard / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>Voters in Alaska who supported Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections have expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. In a report on MS NOW’s <i>Connect with Jacob Soboroff</i>, several Trump voters at a gas station in Anchorage reacted to video clips of the president making promises.</p><p>One voter noted, "That’s why I voted for him, because he was saying all that stuff. And then now it’s totally different," referring to Trump's pledge to lower prices.</p><p>Another voter described Trump as being overly optimistic, stating, "I hoped that he would be able to live up to some of his hype, but he’s hyperbolic. That’s all he has ever been. His middle name ought to be hyperbole. He can’t deliver on any promises. No politician ever can, even if they have the best of intentions."</p><p>A third voter reacted to a clip of Trump claiming that prices are not very high, saying, "For him maybe." The average net worth of Alaskans was estimated to be around $155,000 in 2024, while Trump's net worth has reportedly increased to $7 billion since retaking the presidency.</p><p>This voter also expressed frustration, stating, "He talks a lot, but I haven’t seen anything that’s come to fruition yet. You know, of course I understand they don’t need nukes, but I mean, I need to live, and not be able to spend all my money on gas." When asked about Trump's promises, he replied, "Like he’s just lying."</p><p>In Alaska, where many residents rely on diesel for heating, prices have surged, with diesel averaging around $6.60 per gallon, and exceeding $8 in some remote areas. Heating oil prices are reported to be around $10 per gallon. As winter approaches, the demand for fuel is expected to rise.</p><p>The 2025-26 winter was noted as one of the coldest on record in Alaska, with temperatures dropping to -60 Fahrenheit. The rising costs of heating fuel are contributing to a challenging Senate race for Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, who is trailing Democrat Mary Peltola by seven percentage points according to recent polls.</p><p>Alaska is considered a traditionally Republican stronghold that may be at risk of flipping to Democratic control in the upcoming midterm elections.</p><p>The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>