Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 | 2 a.m.
Gas prices go up and down based on many factors, including the market cost of a barrel of oil. One organization that has great influence over the market price of oil is OPEC.
OPEC increases or decreases oil production to manipulate the market price. Two of its most influential members are Saudi Arabia and Russia. Why has OPEC at this time reduced production of oil, causing a spike in prices? Could it be because its members want to influence the 2024 presidential election?
The Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee Report of 2018 concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. Could Russia be manipulating the price of oil to help Trump win again?
Trump’s first foreign visit after winning the 2016 election was to Saudi Arabia. He sold the Saudis billions of dollars of military hardware against the wishes of Congress and our military. Trump ignored the murder of Washington Post journalist by the Saudi government. Jared Kushner received $2 billion from the Saudis immediately after leaving his post in the Trump administration.
Are the Saudis manipulating the price of oil to help Trump return to power?
These are questions American voters should ask themselves when making their decision. Do we want foreign governments interfering in our economy and our elections to determine who we elect to lead our government?
