President Trump renewed his attacks on the media Wednesday, claiming in a tweet that the press is blaming him for traffic jams ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday because he has “gotten Gasoline Prices so low.”
“You just can’t win with the Fake News Media,” he wrote. “A big story today is that because I have pushed so hard and gotten Gasoline Prices so low, more people are driving and I have caused traffic jams throughout our Great Nation. Sorry everyone!”
{mosads}The nationwide average price of a gallon of gas was $2.60 on Wednesday, according to Time. The pump price was down 25 cents since October, the outlet reported.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump tweeted that oil prices were “getting lower” and thanked Saudi Arabia for the dropping costs.
“Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82. Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let’s go lower!” he tweeted.
Trump’s tweet, however, compared two different oil price benchmarks — West Texas Intermediate crude oil, a domestic United States benchmark, closed Tuesday in trading at about $54 while Brent crude, an international benchmark, was at $82 as recently as October.
The tweet came one day after Trump released a statement reaffirming close ties with Saudi Arabia, despite a CIA report that found Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman likely ordered the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
The days surrounding Thanksgiving are the busiest days for long-distance car travel in the year. AAA forecast that 54.3 million Americans will drive 50 miles or more from home this year, the most since 2005.