Massie backs Trump’s diesel deal with Russia in rare move

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on Sunday backed President Trump’s deal with Russia for diesel, in spite of past conflict between the two politicians.

“In 2022 I voted against Russia sanctions, pointing out that U.S. citizens would suffer from higher prices. Glad to see Trump came around to that reality this week. We should lift sanctions on all petroleum products, and on raw metals like copper and aluminum,” Massie said in a Sunday post on the social platform X, featuring a screenshot of a Truth Social post from the president discussing the deal.

Trump announced Friday that Russia would provide the U.S. and global market with diesel. The move comes only a few weeks out from the midterm elections, in which increasing energy prices are a central issue.

The president said that Moscow would “immediately” give 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and the global marketplace.

“I have just concluded a highly successful discussion with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia, wherein it was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Energy prices have risen amid the U.S. war against Iran, with the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the oil industry, closed amid the conflict. According to AAA, the average price of a gallon of diesel in the U.S. was about $6.28 on Sunday afternoon, up from $3.67 last year at the same time.

Massie’s support for the Russia deal is notable, given his recent tension with the president.

The Kentucky Republican has a history of an independent streak but has increasingly broken with Trump on issues the president cares deeply about.

Massie was one of the leaders in the push for the administration to release files about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He also went after the GOP’s approach to foreign policy and did not vote for Trump’s signature tax and spending legislation.