Story perspectives

Trump Promotes Freedom Fuel, 25 Stations Cut Prices

7/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump promoted the Freedom Fuel Network founded by Baltimore Ravens special-teams coach Randy Brown and trader Yoni Gontownik.
Freedom Fuel opened 25 stations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in July, pricing gasoline at $3.47 per gallon.
By mid-July, prices rose to $3.57-$3.82 per gallon, below the national average of $3.89.
White House said the government provides no funding while analysts doubt network can keep prices below wholesale costs.

History

Historical Context

During the 1973 Arab oil embargo, President Richard Nixon’s administration enacted the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act as OPEC cut supplies, driving U.S. gasoline prices from $0.36 to $0.71 per gallon—a 97 % rise that sparked nationwide rationing. Today, former Ravens coach Randy Brown and trader Yoni Gontownik’s Freedom Fuel Network seeks to replicate those price-stabilizing efforts, though analysts warn private stations may struggle without federal subsidies.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump promoted the Freedom Fuel Network founded by Baltimore Ravens special-teams coach Randy Brown and trader Yoni Gontownik.
Freedom Fuel opened 25 stations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in July, pricing gasoline at $3.47 per gallon.
By mid-July, prices rose to $3.57-$3.82 per gallon, below the national average of $3.89.
White House said the government provides no funding while analysts doubt network can keep prices below wholesale costs.

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