Twitter raged on Friday over a CNN Business article that called the country’s recently cut gas prices a “$100-a-month hike.”
The article, written by CNN Business Senior Writer Chris Isidore, argued that people should look at it from the perspective that it’s an “unexpected form of economic stimulus” as gas prices have fallen from their average record highs.
“The next time you stop at a gas station, think about a $100 a month tax cut. Or a raise of maybe $100 a month,” he told readers.
Explaining the reason for celebration, he wrote, “Since hitting a record $5.02 per gallon on June 14, the national average price of regular gasoline has fallen $1.10, or 22%, to $3.92, according to the AAA. That average has now fallen for 67 consecutive days.”
Isidor then summarized this data in terms of household savings. “Since the typical US household uses about 90 gallons of gasoline per month, the $1.10 price drop equates to a $98.82 saving.”
However, Twitter users who lived with much lower gas prices before President Biden took office found it offensive propaganda.
CNN called the drop in gas prices an “increase.” Mike Stewart/AP
Rep. Kelly Armstrong, RN.D. neutralized the spin in the simplest of terms, tweeting, “Gas was $2.39 a gallon when @POTUS took office. It’s now $3.92. Next, the arsonist gets a medal on @CNN for helping fight the fire he started.”
Conservative comedian Jeremy McLellan commented, “I think the same thing every time I rob a gas station.”
“Mocking. These. People.” explained Kira Davis, deputy editor of Red State.
Rebel News co-founder Ezra Levant accused the media and Democrats of being one and the same, commenting: “The media party”.
Brian Riedl, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, blew up the network, tweeting, “CNN makes it so easy for their critics. This is next level gas lighting.”
“CNN is a complete joke,” tweeted the FreedomWorks Twitter account.
Republican US congressional candidate from Texas Troy Nehls wrote, “That’s why nobody trusts @CNN.”
The Daily Wire account sarcastically tweeted: “Journalism at its finest.”
“Gas is still averaging $1.50 more per gallon than it was on Jan. 20, 2021. This spin should be reported as an in-kind donation to the Democratic Party,” countered Marc Lotter, America First Policy Institute’s chief communications officer.
Rep. Mike Carey, R-Ohio, tweeted, “So it’s not just the White House that’s changing definitions and twisting the narrative. Americans are still paying far higher gas prices than they should. Unleash American manufacturing, speed up energy infrastructure, and stop punishing the industry with over-regulation and higher taxes!”
Summing up the propaganda, Daily Wire reporter Virginia Kruta tweeted: “It’s like a jewelry store tripling its prices before announcing a super blowout sale with 50% off. Imagine if you were stupid enough not only to think you were saving money, but to actively yell for the gas lighters.”
“That would make Stalin blush,” noted Drew Holden, author of Free Beacon.
National Republican Senatorial Committee communications director Chris Hartline couldn’t believe the article was even published, tweeting, “I would say it’s really shocking that this has gone through an editorial process, but then again, it’s CNN. So no, it’s not shocking at all.”
And Republican communications strategist Matt Whitlock asked Isidore to think of his employer, CNN Business, using similar logic: “If your employer takes $200 off your paycheck and then gives you $100 back, do you call that a raise?”