COMPREHENSIVE FACT-CHECK: PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENTS (MARCH 2026) - PART 3 PERIOD COVERED: March 1 - March 29, 2026 SUBJECT: President Donald Trump METHODOLOGY: Claims are cross-referenced with the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and energy market analysts. CATEGORY 8: ENERGY, CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT CLAIM 13: U.S. Energy Independence The Statement: During a rally focusing on domestic manufacturing early this month, the President claimed: "Under the previous administration, we had no energy. We were begging other countries for oil. Now, we are finally energy independent again." 🔴 VERDICT: FALSE The Facts: The United States did not lose its energy independence before the current administration took over. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. has been producing record levels of crude oil and natural gas continuously over the past several years. The U.S. remained a net exporter of petroleum products throughout the early 2020s and into 2026. CLAIM 14: The "Ban" on Gasoline Cars The Statement: Criticizing environmental regulations on social media, the President stated: "The radical left completely banned gasoline cars. They forced everyone to buy expensive EVs that don't go far." 🟠 VERDICT: MISLEADING The Facts: There has never been a federal ban on the sale or ownership of gasoline-powered vehicles in the United States. Previous EPA regulations implemented strict emissions standards for automakers, designed to incentivize the production of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). While these regulations favored a market shift toward EVs, consumers have always remained free to purchase and drive internal combustion engine vehicles. CLAIM 15: Wind Energy Reliability The Statement: Discussing the Texas power grid, the President claimed: "Windmills are a disaster. When the wind doesn't blow, you have no power, and they cause blackouts everywhere." 🟠 VERDICT: MISLEADING The Facts: While wind is an intermittent energy source, modern power grids are designed to balance multiple sources of energy. Independent grid operators (like ERCOT in Texas) report that while extreme weather can affect wind turbines, the most significant causes of major grid failures in recent years have been the freezing or failure of natural gas infrastructure and thermal power plants, not solely the lack of wind. SOURCES CONSULTED: EIA - U.S. Oil Production Data: https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_crd_crpdn_adc_mbblpd_m.htm EPA - Emission Standards: https://www.epa.gov/regulations-emissions-vehicles-and-engines ERCOT - Grid Reports: https://www.ercot.com/gridinfo TAGS: #FactCheck #USPolitics #Energy #Climate #March2026 #Accountability