Joel S. Hirschhorn

Republicans promoted the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” as an affordability lifeline for working Americans, but economists, retailers, and budget analysts say rising fuel costs tied to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and ongoing tariff pressures are rapidly wiping out much of the financial relief.

While Americans confront the highest fuel prices in years after the U.S.-Israel war on Iran disrupted global oil markets, fossil fuel giants are reporting surging profits, expanding stock buybacks, and prioritizing shareholder payouts over increased production.

Either America the once beautiful (now shabby) is done for—or we all have front row seats to the greatest public train wreck since Richard Nixon.

The Clues Are on the Billionaires’ Scorecards.

As Washington and Tehran discuss a possible framework to end nearly three months of conflict, new military exchanges, competing narratives, and disagreements over sanctions, regional security, and Israel’s role reveal how fragile any potential agreement remains.