By The FirstCNN anchor Jake Tapper wasn’t having it.
During a conversation on gas prices with Brian Deese, the director of the National Economic Council, Jake Tapper shut down attempts to pin skyrocketing prices on Vladimir Putin.
“We’re doing everything we can to try to bring those prices down. As you know, this all emanates from Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine which took Russian oil off the market,” Deese said.
“Not all of it,” Tapper quickly interjected. “I mean, some of it, yes.”
“Just to be really clear, since troops started amassing on the Ukrainian border and there was a concern that Russia’s supplies would come off, we’ve seen prices at the pump go up $1.50,” Deese continued. “That is the price hike that is associated with the impact of taking Russian supply off the market, but also to your point, Russian refining capacity as well, because we not only have a shortage of supply of oil, but also the refining capacity to turn that oil into gasoline and diesel as well.”
From The Daily Caller…
The White House first dubbed the nation’s record high gas prices the “Putin Price Hike” in early March, shortly after Putin invaded Ukraine. The administration has since cited the invasion as the cause of soaring prices, which have reached new record numbers in recent days.
The average price of regular gasoline currently sits at $4.60 per gallon, while the cost of diesel and premium stand at $5.55 and $5.26 respectively.
Watch the exchange below…
