Back in Biden’s own country, Americans are struggling to cope with an energy shortage as U.S. domestic energy production falls far short of demand and the price of gasoline continues to rise. Average national gas prices exceeded $5 per gallon for the first time in U.S. history in June.
The Times noted that the White House released a fact sheet highlighting a 50% increase in production for August an July, but added that the increase references an earlier announcement from OPEC+, an international bloc of oil producing nations which preceded Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia by a month.
Biden also addressed the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was assassinated in 2018 at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, but noted that the crown prince denied any involvement in his death.
While in Saudi Arabia, Biden also attracted criticism for his meeting with the crown prince, the country’s de facto leader and the alleged mastermind behind Khashoggi’s death. Footage showed the president jovially bump fists with bin Salman.
![Joe doesn't know if he's coming or going: Biden says he hasn't decided to go to Saudi Arabia - seconds before confirming he IS going [VIDEO]](https://www.libertybugle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/bodem613-260x137.jpg "Joe doesn't know if he's coming or going: Biden says he hasn't decided to go to Saudi Arabia - seconds before confirming he IS going [VIDEO]")