Top Republican snaps and walks away from reporter when pressed on record-high gas prices
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), one of President Joe Biden's fiercest Republican critics over inflation and gas prices, is refusing to account for his stunning reversal now that a Republican president's unpopular war in Iran is putting an even bigger squeeze on American consumers.
When pressed by MS NOW's Jack Fitzpatrick, the normally press-friendly Louisiana Republican walked away.
During his interview with MS NOW, Kennedy attempted to sidestep questions about his dramatic change of heart while simultaneously insisting his hands are tied.
Gas prices have surged by more than $1.50 per gallon since Trump launched attacks against Iran nearly 10 weeks ago. On Friday, prices hit an average of $4.54 per gallon according to AAA — a 47% increase from the $2.98 national average just before the conflict began and limited oil stocks indicate little chance of a swift turnaround," Fitzpatrick is reporting while adding Republicans are urging "patience."
"There are trade-offs," Kennedy attempted in his interview. "I think the American people understand it. They've been through conflicts in the Middle East before. They know these prices will come down once the conflict is over."
This measured acceptance stands in sharp contrast to Kennedy's relentless criticism of Biden administration gas prices resulting from Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Even before that war started, Kennedy was hammering Biden with variations of the same joke: "I don't like to brag about all the expensive places I've been, but earlier today I went to the gas station," Fitzpatrick noted.
When asked what Congress could actually do about the soaring prices, Kennedy's answer was blunt: "There's nothing we can do."
"The price of gas and natural gas and gasoline and diesel fuel and oil is a product of the conflict in Iran, you know that," he told MS NOW.
When pressed about whether limited options should constrain his patience with Trump's Iran war — and how he squares his current stance with his past criticisms of Biden — Kennedy grew hostile.
"You need to try adulting real hard," he snapped.
When asked directly how he reconciles his patience now with his impatience under Biden, Kennedy refused to engage. "I don't have to square anything with you," he said, with the MS NOW reporter adding the lawmaker patted him on the back as he ended the interview and walked away.