Trump-Backed "Freedom Fuel" Gas Prices Rise Above Promised Rate
Gas stations branded as "Freedom Fuel" are charging at least $3.57 per gallon, above the $3.47 price Trump announced, with prices varying by location and market conditions.
Gas stations marketed under the "Freedom Fuel" brand, announced by the White House last week, are selling gasoline at prices higher than the promised $3.47 per gallon. Data from the price-tracking service GasBuddy shows rates of $3.57 per gallon or more at the locations surveyed, with some stations reaching $4.49. A New Jersey outlet briefly rose above the national average of about $3.80 before falling back to $3.57.
A White House spokesperson told CBS News that the prices are subject to normal market fluctuations and may decline depending on location and market conditions. GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, Patrick De Haan, said the pricing model is unlikely to be sustainable, noting that rising crude oil costs could force someone to absorb the losses.
The operator of the stations has not been disclosed, and some customers report that existing gas stations were simply rebranded as Freedom Fuel. The initiative follows other recent Trump-related ventures that have faced criticism for their viability.