Fact Check: Did Trump sign EO calling for the removal of gas price signs at service stations?
WASHINGTON, DC: This March, a rumor circulated online claiming that President Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for the dismantling of electronic pricing signs at gas stations across the United States.
The claim went viral online amid the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, as Iran's control of the Straight of Hormuz has led to reduced oil shipments and marked increases in fuel prices. But is there any truth to the viral claim? Let us find out below.
Claim: Trump signs EO for dismantling electronic pricing signs at gas stations
A Facebook account shared a post on Tuesday, March 10, that read, "BREAKING: The White House has announced 'Operation Invisible Pump.' President Trump signed an Executive Order this morning mandating the immediate removal of all digital gas price displays nationwide."
The post further claimed that Donald Trump said the signs were "displays of election interference".
The US-Iran conflict has disrupted oil production, refining, and especially shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively slowed or halted tanker traffic in retaliation, causing supply fears.
Moreover, global crude oil prices have surged dramatically. Brent crude and WTI briefly exceeded $100-$120 per barrel, before they came back to around $90+.
Meanwhile, analysts expect further rises in the short term, potentially pushing national averages to $3.50-$4.00+ per gallon if disruptions persist for weeks or months.
Fact Check: False, no credible evidence to back the claim
The claim made in the viral Facebook post is false, as there is no credible evidence to prove that Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for the dismantling of electronic pricing signs at gas stations across the US.
Searches on search engines, such as Google and Bing, led to no credible news reports by any reputable news outlet. If the rumor was true, several media organizations would have covered the signing of the executive order.
Moreover, a search for 'Operation Invisible Pump' on the White House website also showed no such results. An authentic executive order by that name would be officially documented on the website if it were true.
The post seemed to have originated as satire by Facebook user Zeke Sky, who first shared the rumor on March 10. Near the bottom of the Facebook post, the user promoted a Substack newsletter titled 'The Weekly Rot' with the wording - "WANT TO KEEP UP THE RESISTANCE and LAUGH as you resist? Join my Substack, it's free, you get exclusive takes from my new incredible staff writers and me."
Meanwhile, The Weekly Rot's bio on Substack reads, "The Weekly Rot is a politics and technology newsletter for people who are paying attention, pissed off, and laughing through the pain. Published weekly by Zeke Sky. No both-sidesing. No corporate hedging. Just the rot, documented."
