美国总统特朗普及其白宫正在大力推广一个名为"自由燃料网络"（Freedom Fuel Network）的加油站连锁品牌，该品牌以每加仑3.47美元的价格吸引消费者，这个价格是为了纪念特朗普作为第47任总统的身份[1]。特朗普于7月1日在Truth Social平台上称赞了这家零售商，随后白宫发布视频支持其开业[1]。
然而，这一项目的股东结构复杂且背景模糊。运营团队由分散的商人组成，包括巴尔的摩乌鸦队NFL踢球教练Randy Brown、共和党筹款人Yoni Gontownik以及兄弟档Shamikh和Syed Kazmi[1]。其中，Kazmi兄弟曾因非法获取超过23万加仑燃料被法官下令支付超过60万美元的民事赔偿，并面临来自7-Eleven和BP的诉讼[1]。
房产投资公司Blue Owl Capital拥有约三分之一的Freedom Fuel物业[1]。特朗普曾持有Blue Owl Capital高达2500万美元的股票，但已几乎全部出售[1]。尽管如此，白宫否认与该公司有资金关联。
行业专家对这一低价策略表示质疑。美国便利店协会分析师Jeff Lenard指出，该价格可能是为了制造轰动效应而进行的亏本促销[1]。事实上，加油站的价格已开始回升，宾州Bensalem站的汽油价格已涨至每加仑3.82美元[1]。
President Trump and his White House have been actively promoting Freedom Fuel Network, a gas station chain selling gasoline at $3.47 per gallon—a price chosen to reference Trump's status as the 47th president [1]. Trump praised the retailer on Truth Social on July 1, and the White House subsequently released a video supporting the brand's opening [1].
The project operates under a fragmented ownership structure involving several key figures. The team includes Randy Brown, a kicking coach for the Baltimore Ravens NFL team; Yoni Gontownik, a Republican fundraiser; and brothers Shamikh and Syed Kazmi [1]. Blue Owl Capital owns approximately one-third of Freedom Fuel's properties, while Trump previously held up to $25 million in Blue Owl Capital stock, though he has since sold nearly all of it [1].
The Kazmi brothers carry significant legal baggage. They were ordered by a judge to pay over $600,000 in civil damages after illegally obtaining more than 230,000 gallons of fuel, and they face lawsuits from both 7-Eleven and BP [1].
Industry analyst Jeff Lenard characterized the pricing strategy as likely loss-leader promotion designed to generate publicity [1]. Prices at the chain have already begun rising, with the Bensalem, Pennsylvania location climbing to $3.82 per gallon [1]. The White House has denied having any financial connection to the company [1].