Trump-promoted discount gas stations fuel a mystery and questions

Key Points:

• President Trump praised the Freedom Fuel Network, a group of 25 gas stations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, for lowering gas prices to $3.47 per gallon, about 50 cents below the state average, claiming it would help reduce gas prices for drivers.
• Industry experts and data analysis suggest that selling gas at $3.47 would likely cause the stations to operate at a loss, potentially costing them over $250,000 monthly, with no clear information on how the network sustains these prices.
• The Freedom Fuel Network is a little-known entity with limited public disclosure, and major petroleum companies previously associated with some stations have distanced themselves from the network.
• Analysts describe the business model as unsustainable given current wholesale and tax costs, though some speculate the low prices might be part of a promotional strategy to attract customers to convenience stores.
• The Department of Justice is investigating oil companies for possible price gouging amid rising oil prices, prompted in part by Trump’s public criticism of "big oil" firms for not lowering gas prices commensurately with crude oil price drops.