Key Takeaways:
- Former President Donald Trump claimed gas prices dropped to $1.98 per gallon and $1.88 in three states.
- Fact-checkers say these claims are false, with current prices closer to $3.18 per gallon.
- Trump’s post sparked jokes and criticism online.
- Experts blame Trump’s energy policies for higher gas prices.
- The debate highlights the ongoing political fight over gas prices.
A Look at Trump’s Claim
Former President Donald Trump recently made headlines after posting on Truth Social, a social media platform, that gas prices had dropped to $1.98 per gallon. He even claimed that in three states, gas was as low as $1.88. Trump ended his post with, “Can you believe it?”
The post quickly went viral, but not for the reasons Trump might have hoped. Instead of agreement, his claim sparked laughter and confusion. Fact-checkers and experts were quick to point out that Trump’s numbers were far from accurate.
What Do the Numbers Really Say?
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average gas price in the U.S. is around $3.18 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. Even the cheapest option, E85 gas, is still about $2.61 per gallon. These numbers are much higher than what Trump claimed.
CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale was quick to call out Trump’s post. He wrote, “Trump keeps making up gas prices.” Dale also noted that no state currently has gas prices as low as $1.88. When Trump asked, “Can you believe it?” Dale simply replied, “No.”
CBS News Calls It Misleading
CBS News also weighed in on Trump’s claim, calling it “misleading.” They pointed out that gas prices are actually around the same as when President Joe Biden took office in January. This contradicts Trump’s suggestion that gas prices have dropped significantly.
Politifact, a well-known fact-checking organization, labeled Trump’s claim as “False.” They provided evidence showing that gas prices have not fallen to the levels Trump claimed.
What Are People Saying?
Trump’s post didn’t just catch the attention of fact-checkers. Everyday people and experts alike had something to say.
Steven Rattner, a former advisor to President Barack Obama, pointed out that Trump’s policies didn’t deliver on promises to lower gas prices. He shared graphs showing that crude oil prices have dropped, but gas prices remain high. Rattner also noted that oil rigs are being taken offline, which could further drive up prices.
Software engineer Alex Cole added to the debate by sharing a Fox News report. The report stated that gas prices have actually increased since Trump was elected. Cole joked, “I’m sorry, MAGAs, even Fox News is saying gas prices went up since Trump was elected.”
The Bigger Picture
The debate over gas prices is more than just a numbers game. It reflects a larger argument over energy policies and their impact on the economy. During his presidency, Trump pushed for “drill baby drill,” a policy aimed at increasing oil production. Critics argue this approach hasn’t led to lower gas prices.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently told Fox News that low gas prices act like “an automatic tax cut for the American people.” This comment led one person to ask, “If low gas prices are a tax cut, does that mean high gas prices are a tax increase?”
Conclusion
Trump’s claim about gas prices being as low as $1.98 per gallon has sparked a lot of conversation. While some people found humor in the situation, others used it as an opportunity to Criticize Trump’s policies.
What’s clear is that gas prices remain a hot topic in politics. As the 2024 election approaches, expect even more debate over energy policies and their impact on the economy.
At the end of the day, one thing is certain: gas prices are still higher than Trump claimed, and the debate over who’s responsible for that shows no signs of slowing down.