President Donald Trump signed an executive order on stage at a campaign rally in Nebraska that waives the off-road requirement for tax-exempt red-dyed diesel, which is primarily used in farming and construction.
The move is meant to bring down high diesel costs across the country ahead of the midterm elections.
“For many years, farm vehicles, construction equipment, and other off-road vehicles have used what is known as red-dyed diesel,” Trump told the crowd on Monday. “You know what that is? I don’t know what the hell it is, but whatever it is, it’s supposed to be very good.”
He went on to explain that red-dyed diesel is “sold tax-free for off-road vehicles and big trucks.” The fuel gets its name from the dye used to show it is exempt from highway excise taxes. By lifting the requirement, any driver of a diesel-powered vehicle can purchase it.
The president directed White House aide Natalie Harp to hand him the executive order, which he promptly signed on stage. In doing so, he mocked former President Joe Biden for using an autopen to sign orders when he was in office.
In remarks directed at Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE), Trump said the order “should absolutely assure your election.” While Trump held up the executive order for all to see, the crowd applauded and chanted his name.
TRUMP TO WIDEN ACCESS TO TAX-EXEMPT DIESEL TO LOWER RECORD-HIGH PRICES
Asked by a reporter earlier Monday if he planned to ease limits on red-dyed diesel for farmers, Trump teased his visit to Nebraska was for “our farmers.” He also said he would help bring down diesel costs. Also on Monday, Trump blamed high gasoline costs on Ukraine’s strikes against Russian oil refineries.
“What’s driving up Gasoline is no longer the Strait of Hormuz,” he posted on Truth Social, “because Record Numbers of Barrels are coming out now on an almost daily basis, but the word, ‘Refineries,’ where Russia’s are being blown up by Ukraine, and where ours are being closed up, in Blue States, like California, by the Dumocrats.”