Media top headlines December 8
In media news today, CNN's Don Lemon avoids mentioning court testimony that he tipped Jussie Smollett off about police, a New York Times reporter scolds airline travelers for faulty mask-wearing, and the White House and CNN tout a Washington Post column claiming Biden gets worse media coverage than Trump.
CNN painted a slight drop in gas prices as a massive economic accomplishment for the U.S. this week as it gushed over the national average price for a gallon of gas dropping to a still-robust $3.35 a gallon.
During multiple segments, as well as an analysis piece published Tuesday, the liberal network touted the small price drop as "critical relief for household budgets," "a big economic relief for millions," and "offering glimmers of hope for inflation-weary Americans." It also touted the Biden administration's release of strategic oil reserves as a contributing factor in the drop.
"Americans grappling with historic levels of inflation are finally getting some relief where they need it most: Previously-booming energy prices," the network's analysis piece read, saying the average price for a gallon of gas fell to a "seven-week low" of $3.35 a gallon.
FILE PHOTO: Gas prices grow along with inflation as this sign at a gas station shows in San Diego, California, U.S. November, 9, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo/File Photo (REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo/File Photo)
BIDEN BLAMES SOARING GAS PRICES ON BIG OIL AS HE KEEPS UP HIS WAR ON FOSSIL FUELS
It's unclear exactly where CNN came up with the "seven-week low" measurement, however, according to AAA, the source of the numbers cited by CNN, the average price for a gallon of regular grade gasoline for November was $3.42. AAA does not provide an average for the month of October on its website, which would fall within CNN's "seven-week low" time frame.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the highest average price of all grades of gasoline combined was $3.49 per gallon for the month of November, the highest average for the entire year. It was $3.38 for the month of October, four cents higher than the numbers CNN was touting this week.
The piece went on to tout President Biden's decision to release from the strategic oil reserve in an attempt to lower prices and help with the fuel shortage, although it admitted the move was "more of a Band-Aid than a long-term solution."
U.S. President Joe Biden announces the release of 50 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve as part of a coordinated effort with other major economies to help ease rising gas prices as he delivers remarks on the economy and "lowering prices," during a speech in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building’s South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 23, 2021. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein)
MARC THIESSEN: BIDEN ADMIN INFLATED GAS PRICES BY ‘DECLARING WAR ON FOSSIL FUELS’
The piece also admitted that pump prices were "still at high levels," but that they had "finally stopped going straight up."
"The energy market is offering glimmers of hope for inflation-weary American families," it added after also cheering the drop in the price of natural gas.
CNN host Don Lemon continued gushing over the small decrease during his Tuesday night show, clapping and singing on air as he cheered on the numbers.
"A big economic relief for millions of Americans who have been dealing with soaring energy prices. Costs at the pump, finally easing up. The national average for a gallon of regular falling to $3.35. The lowest since October. Just look at that. Ahhhhh," Lemon said.
He went on to report that the government was predicting a drop in the average price to $3.01 a gallon by January.
"Can we just celebrate the good news for a minute? I’ll take it where I can get it," he said, clapping as he brought on guest Austan Goolsbee to discuss the numbers.
John Berman and Brianna Keilar discuss gas prices on December 8, 2021 (Screenshot/CNN)
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The celebration continued on Wednesday's airing of "New Day," with hosts John Berman and Brianna Keilar touting the small drop as "a potential antidote for inflation," one of the most dire economic problems facing the Biden administration, and claiming the numbers were dropping "significantly."
CNN's chief business correspondent Christine Romans joined the program and, after going through the numbers, claimed "cooling energy costs … offer critical relief for household budgets."
The average price remains significantly higher than the average price of $2.15 for regular grade gasoline one year ago.
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