Fact Check: Did Elon Musk say those panicking over gas prices 'don't understand economics'?
AUSTIN, TEXAS: Amid tensions over rising gas prices due to the conflict in the Middle East, a social media post claimed that trillionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk said those worried about gas prices don’t understand economics. The claim has sparked a row, prompting a fact-check.
Claim: Elon Musk said those worried about gas prices don’t understand economics
According to the viral post that appeared on Facebook, Musk said that anyone panicking over the price of gas doesn't understand world economics.
"There are a number of systems in play," Musk allegedly said. "I believe that had Biden been looking at this same scenario, we'd be paying $7 or $8 a gallon right now."
The post further states that according to Musk, President Donald Trump's handling of the situation has been "masterful," and he believes that as soon as the Republicans win the midterms, he'll be in a position to bring Iran to its knees as well as end the war in Ukraine.
"Biden would have surrendered the third fleet and delivered a nuclear weapon to the Iranian embassy as a show of good faith."
The claim drew mockery and criticism from online users, with many appearing to believe the claim is true, while a few remain skeptical and called for a fact-check.
Fact Check: Elon Musk never made such a remark
The claim, however, is false, as there is no evidence of Musk making such a remark.
There are no publicly available statements, official remarks, interviews, or social media posts where he was heard saying that those panicking over prices don’t understand economics.
If Musk has really made such a remark, not only would it go unreported by prominent news media outlets, but it would have even made headlines given the pressure and criticism against the Trump administration over gas prices.
A search on Google for the claim also returned no news reports supporting the rumor.
Additionally, the post came from a Facebook parody account called ‘America’s Last Line Of Defense,’ which states in the bio, ‘Nothing on this page is real.’
Donald Trump predicts gas prices would drop
The claim surfaced after Trump, earlier this month, predicted that gas prices would drop sharply once the US wins its conflict with Iran.
“Oil prices will drop precipitously, like everything else is dropping (but more!), when we WIN the war with Iran,” Trump said.
“Three Dollars a gallon, but ultimately, below Two Dollars a gallon. It will all happen quickly, and Iran will never have a Nuclear Weapon. MAGA! President DJT.”
