Trump points to falling gas prices in pushback against Russia claims

President Trump on Monday pushed back against the possibility that he is working on behalf of Russia, pointing to falling gas prices.

Trump wrote in a tweet that falling gas prices across the U.S. are “bad news for Russia” and questioned why he would “do such a thing” if he “worked for the Kremlin.”

{mosads}“’Gas prices drop across the United States because President Trump has deregulated Energy and we are now producing a great deal more oil than ever before.’ @foxandfriends But this is bad news for Russia, why would President Trump do such a thing? Thought he worked for Kremlin?” Trump tweeted.

“Gas prices drop across the United States because President Trump has deregulated Energy and we are now producing a great deal more oil than ever before.” @foxandfriends But this is bad news for Russia, why would President Trump do such a thing? Thought he worked for Kremlin?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2019

Trump’s comments come after The New York Times reported Friday that the FBI in 2017 opened an investigation into whether Trump was working on behalf of Russia. The probe was prompted following Trump’s dismissal of former FBI Director James Comey, according to the Times.

Trump, in an interview with Fox News on Saturday, called the report “insulting.”

“I think it’s the most insulting thing I’ve ever been asked,” Trump told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro when asked if he had ever worked on behalf of Russia. “I think it’s the most insulting article I’ve ever had written.”

The Times report was followed by a Washington Post report on Saturday revealing that Trump has worked to conceal the details of his private meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, including by taking notes from an interpreter after a 2017 meeting with Putin. 

The Associated Press reported Sunday that average gas prices across the U.S. have dropped 12 cents within the past three weeks. The average price of a gallon of regular-grade gas is currently at $2.31, which is also down 66 cents over the past 3 1/2 months, according to the AP.