Month: January 2018

It’s Not Your Imagination — Gas Prices Are Higher Under Trump

Trish

Take a look at this graph from AAA and you might think, “Yes, the price of gas seems high but it’s not the highest it’s been lately. Look how high it was in June of 2015! And how about September of 2017? Thanks Obama!”

Hold on. While it’s true that the price at the pump always goes up in the summer, look at each of the past Januaries. Now are you feeling worried? You probably should be.

[…]

Chart: Donald Is Not Responsible for Declining African-American Unemployment

Jon Ponder

Vox: “Trump is certainly right that black unemployment hit a historic low in December 2017, not only falling to its lowest level since the Great Recession but falling below 7 percent for the first time since the statistic began being recorded. Given that black unemployment hit a high point of around 16.7 percent in August 2011 as the country recovered from the Great Recession, the new number is ostensibly good news. But exactly how much progress the new 6.8 percent number reflects, and what role Trump played in getting it there, isn’t exactly what the president says.

[…]

Russians Promoted GOP Shutdown Talking Points on Twitter

Buck Banks

“The White House branded the federal budget impasse… as the ‘Schumer Shutdown’ in its attempt to pin the blame on Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY). … But it wasn’t just Republicans using that phrase during the weekend government shutdown. Independent analysts said Twitter accounts linked to Russia have spread the same message.”

— Los Angeles Times