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The men behind Trump's $3.47 gas: An NFL coach, a GOP fundraiser and two New Jersey brothers - AP News

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The men behind Trump's $3.47 gas: An NFL coach, a GOP fundraiser and two New Jersey brothers - AP News
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What the report says

The Associated Press reports that President Donald Trump and the White House have promoted the Freedom Fuel Network, a Philadelphia-area chain of patriotic-themed gas stations selling gasoline at $3.47 per gallon, a price tied to Trump being the 47th president. The network launched last month, and a station in Dresher, Pennsylvania, was highlighted by the White House as the first in the region. Trump praised the company on Truth Social on July 1, shortly before July 4 travel, as consumers faced higher oil prices linked to the war with Iran.

AP says public records make the ownership and operation of the venture difficult to untangle. The records point to a group that includes an NFL kicking coach, a Republican fundraiser and New Jersey brothers Shamikh and Syed Kazmi. The four businessmen either declined to comment or could not be reached, according to AP. The White House said the administration is not involved in the company, has not funded it and that no outside entity is subsidizing the lower gasoline costs, while acknowledging discussions with people who set up the network.

AP found that Blue Owl Capital owns about one-third of the properties in the 25-location network, including the Dresher site, but the firm said it leases stores to independent contractors and does not control tenant business decisions. Trump previously reported owning as much as $25 million in Blue Owl stock, though his latest disclosure says most of that stake has been sold.

The report also links 14 Freedom Fuel locations to companies associated with the Kazmi brothers. AP cites records and other sourcing showing the brothers have faced civil misconduct claims, including a February federal judgment in New Jersey ordering them to pay more than $600,000 to a fuel supplier that accused them of unlawfully taking fuel.

Read the full report at Associated Press →

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