{"id":3548,"date":"2026-07-11T08:35:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T03:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=3548"},"modified":"2026-07-11T08:35:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T03:35:45","slug":"trump-promotes-freedom-fuel-stations-that-sell-cheap-gas-how-theyre-able-to-do-so-is-unclear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=3548","title":{"rendered":"Trump promotes \u2018Freedom Fuel\u2019 stations that sell cheap gas. How they\u2019re able to do so is unclear"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-editable=\"content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\" data-reorderable=\"content\">\n<p>\n<cite class=\"source__cite vossi-source__cite\"><br \/>\n      <span class=\"source__location vossi-source__location\" data-editable=\"location\">Bristol, Pennsylvania<wbr\/><\/span><span class=\"source__separator\">\u00a0\u2014\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/cite><\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdo75so000x28p6g9u4e5cn@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            President Donald Trump is heralding a new chain of gas stations that are selling gas for $3.479 a gallon, well below both market prices and wholesale costs.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr200083b6rp0wb15uo@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThis retailer is taking the lead, and others should follow,\u201d he wrote in a\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/116847413162359390\" target=\"_blank\">Truth Social post<\/a>\u202flast week, highlighting the July 3 opening of a\u202fnetwork of 25<strong> <\/strong>\u201cFreedom Fuel\u201d stations located mostly around Philadelphia and in southern New Jersey. \u201cGas prices at the pump are dropping \u2026but\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/06\/24\/economy\/trump-criticizes-big-oil-for-gas-prices\">not as fast<\/a>\u202fas they should be.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr200093b6r17jqo03g@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            High gas prices have been a sore point for the Trump administration since the start of the war with Iran. The national AAA average was $3.85 per gallon as of Thursday and $3.99 in Pennsylvania, down from the peak but well above prices before the war.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdq69rp00063b6r519nzjd1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            But the bargain Trump is promoting is only available at two dozen stations out of the tens of thousands of gas stations of all kinds nationwide. CNN hasn\u2019t been able to confirm all the Freedom Fuel stations are open.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000a3b6r1uxtsp3b@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            And it\u2019s unclear who is running the discount gas stations and for how long.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdptzyp00023b6r8gfzr82w@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Freedom Fuel did not reply to requests for comment. The White House said that Freedom Fuel Network is a private company with no government support or subsidies.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdpu5o800043b6rcoitedt1@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThe administration is not involved in the company, nor has the administration given the company any funding.\u202fThere is no other entity or person subsidizing the lower gasoline costs,\u201d a White House spokesperson told CNN. \u201cThey are simply reducing their margin to make prices at the pump more affordable for drivers in Philadelphia and New Jersey.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000b3b6rr2zexau5@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            CNN found an incorporation filing for Freedom Fuel Network in Delaware on June 23<strong>,<\/strong> but no owner was listed.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmrdp2eo7000y3b6r70rmtqyl@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate vossi-image_large-elevate  portrait image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"IMG_0548.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"1.3335\" data-original-height=\"2667\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0548-20260709153134011.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_large__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0548-20260709153134011.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0548-20260709153134011.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0548-20260709153134011.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0548-20260709153134011.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0548-20260709153134011.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0548-20260709153134011.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\" alt=\"Signage at one of the 25 Freedom Fuel stations offering below market prices for drivers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.\" class=\"image_large__dam-img image_large__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_large__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"2667\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdqlb6w000b3b6rkukw28hw@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Station owners set their own fuel prices, and the overwhelming majority of gas stations in the country are small businesses that run on thin margins, not the major oil companies that often have their brands on the stations. Many<strong> <\/strong>make most of their money on the convenience store items sold inside, like snacks and drinks.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000e3b6ryd6deax4@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            There is no way the stations can be profitable \u2013 or even sustainable \u2013 charging that much below cost, according to Jeff Lenard,\u202fspokesperson for the National Association of Convenience Stores, which represents stores that sell about 80% of the fuel sold nationwide.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000f3b6rdquwmyr0@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cThere\u2019s no way those stations could operate the way a traditional retailer would, without at least breaking even on fuel,\u201d said Lenard.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000g3b6rnhn9o9ro@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Most of the drivers pulling in to one of the stations in Bristol, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday evening told CNN they were unaware of the White House\u2019s support for the\u202fcompany. They were\u202fjust happy\u202fto find cheaper gas.\n    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/image\/instances\/cmrdp0gn0000w3b6r67wg6kfr@published\" class=\"image_large-elevate vossi-image_large-elevate  image_large__hide-placeholder\" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-name=\"IMG_0552.jpg\" data-component-name=\"image\" data-observe-resizes=\"\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\" data-original-ratio=\"0.75\" data-original-height=\"1500\" data-original-width=\"2000\" data-url=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0552.jpg?c=original\" data-editable=\"settings\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image_large__container \" data-image-variation=\"image_large\" data-breakpoints=\"{\" image_large--eq-extra-small=\"\">\n       <picture class=\"image_large__picture\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"679\" media=\"(max-width: 479px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0552.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_679,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"967\" media=\"(min-width: 480px) and (max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0552.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_967,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0552.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0552.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source height=\"undefined\" width=\"860\" media=\"(min-width: 1280px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0552.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\/f_webp\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/img-0552.jpg?c=original&amp;q=w_860,c_fill\" alt=\"James Lymer was thrilled that he saved about $8 filling his SUV with 16 gallons of gas Wednesday evening in Bristol, Pennsylvania.\" class=\"image_large__dam-img image_large__dam-img--loading\" onload=\"this.classList.remove('image_large__dam-img--loading')\" onerror=\"imageLoadError(this)\" height=\"1500\" width=\"2000\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000h3b6rympy2md2@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            James Lymer said he heard about the cheaper gas via social media and made the\u202ftrip specifically to\u202ffill up. He was buying\u202fnearly 16\u202fgallons of gas for $55 for his Toyota 4Runner SUV, saving about $8 over the price he would normally pay.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000i3b6rh4757gis@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cI love it, because I\u2019m retired, and every little bit helps,\u201d he said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000k3b6rm3rz3blp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            A competing independent gas station just down the road, Red Lion Fuel, was selling gas for $3.60 a gallon on Wednesday. Muhammad Irfan, who has owned the station since 2022, told CNN he was already selling about\u202f500 gallons\u202fa day less than he usually does before the Freedom Fuel opened up shop.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000l3b6ru02vhd5b@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            He usually prices his gas more cheaply than nearby stations, including the former Valero station that is now Freedom Fuel. But he\u202fcan\u2019t hope to\u202fmatch Freedom Fuel\u2019s prices.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000m3b6rid70nrqm@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cWe\u202fcannot even\u202fcompete,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are hardly breaking [even] when we pay off things like credit card charges.\u202fThere\u2019s\u202fno way I can go down to $3.47 unless\u202fI\u2019m\u202flosing money.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000o3b6rs1a0eni0@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Some major retailers, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/05\/31\/business\/costco-cheap-gas\">Costco<\/a>, can sell gas below broader market prices, but that\u2019s because of the sheer volume of fuel the huge retailer is buying nationally. The Costco nearest to the Freedom Fuel in Bristol was also selling gas for $3.479 a gallon.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000p3b6rwxq5hfgp@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cWhen you buy fuel in that type of volume, you have a different price (for wholesale gas) than somebody that\u2019s getting one or two tanker truck deliveries a week,\u201d Lenard said.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr2000q3b6r2h3vpwcg@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Irfan said he\u202fdoesn\u2019t\u202fknow who, if anyone, is giving financial support or rebates to Freedom Fuel to allow it to keep prices so low. If they are getting financial support from the government or supporters of the Trump administration, \u201cit\u2019s very unfair.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr3000r3b6rpn4t905p@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cWe keep very fair prices so everybody can afford it,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause of our reputation, we always get business.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr3000s3b6rlpt0qdys@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            Another driver filling up at Freedom Fuel in Bristol, Bud Shank, said he is not a fan of the Trump administration<strong>,<\/strong> and lower fuel prices aren\u2019t changing his view of the president.\n    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph-elevate inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph_elevate\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cmrdoylr3000t3b6r89ci3mvq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n            \u201cI still wouldn\u2019t be a supporter (of Trump),\u201d he said, filling up his tank for $51. \u201cI\u2019m\u202fhere for the low cost of fuel. I drive several vehicles. One\u2019s an RV that gets 8 miles to the gallon.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bristol, Pennsylvania\u00a0\u2014\u00a0 President Donald Trump is heralding a new chain of gas stations that are selling gas for $3.479 a gallon, well below both market prices and wholesale costs. \u201cThis retailer is taking the lead, and others should follow,\u201d he wrote in a\u202fTruth Social post\u202flast week, highlighting the July 3 opening of a\u202fnetwork of 25&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.cnn.com\/api\/v1\/images\/stellar\/prod\/gettyimages-2284668777.jpg?c=16x9&q=w_800,c_fill","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-trending-viral-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3548","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3548"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3548\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3548"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}