Behind Trump’s $3.47 Gas: An NFL Coach and Two Brothers
President Donald Trump and his White House have enthusiastically promoted the Freedom Fuel Network, a chain of star-spangled gas stations selling fuel at $3.47 per gallon in honor of the 47th president. But untangling exactly who is behind the Philadelphia-area venture reveals an unlikely coalition: a Baltimore Ravens kicking coach, a former commodities trader and Republican fundraiser, and two New Jersey brothers with a lengthy record of legal troubles, including a federal judgment for stealing over 230,000 gallons of fuel.
According to an investigation by the Associated Press, the network of 25 gas stations — 20 in Pennsylvania and five in New Jersey — was incorporated in Delaware on June 23, 2026, just one week before Trump promoted it on Truth Social. The $3.47 price tag was a deliberate nod to Trump as the 47th president, and the initiative quickly became a centerpiece of the administration’s economic messaging during a period of elevated gas prices caused by the ongoing Iran war.
The Key Figures
Randy Brown: NFL Coach and Former Mayor
Randy Brown, a senior special teams coach for the Baltimore Ravens with 18 seasons under his belt, signed the certificate of formation for Freedom Fuel Network, LLC. Brown is no stranger to public service — he previously served as the Republican mayor of Evesham Township, New Jersey, and briefly considered a run for Congress in 2021. A self-described “proud Trump supporter,” Brown did not respond to requests for comment.
Yoni Gontownik: Former Commodities Trader and GOP Fundraiser
Yoni Gontownik, a former investment director at Mercuria Energy, a Swiss multinational commodities trading firm, also signed the formation documents on behalf of PJA Properties LLC, identified as a member of Freedom Fuels Network. Before Mercuria, Gontownik spent eight years at GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund. He has been active with NORPAC, a pro-Israel PAC, hosting fundraisers for Republican members of Congress. According to The Newsground, after media inquiries, his name was removed from NORPAC’s website page for an event featuring Sen. Josh Hawley.
The Kazmi Brothers: Legal Troubles and Fuel Theft
The most controversial figures in the network are Shamikh and Syed Kazmi, two New Jersey businessmen who control 14 of the 25 Freedom Fuel locations. Their involvement raises significant questions about the administration’s due diligence.
In February 2026, a federal judge ordered the Kazmis to pay over $600,000 to a fuel supplier for stealing more than 230,000 gallons of fuel in August 2021. Court filings allege the brothers exploited a security lapse at the supplier’s fuel depot, sending tanker trucks to abscond with fuel over a ten-day period. The supplier says it has yet to receive payment.
Syed Kazmi was hit with a $380,000 judgment in 2024 from 7-Eleven, which accused him of “dishonest, unethical, immoral” conduct at a franchise in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, that was flagged for unsanitary conditions including trash issues and rodent infestation. The company also reported that “tens of thousands of dollars” of cigarettes ordered on credit had gone missing.
Shamikh Kazmi was held in contempt in 2022 in a trademark case with BP America, with a federal judge authorizing U.S. Marshals to accompany BP workers to remove signage that had not been taken down despite a court order. In January 2026, he was held liable for failing to pay over $700,000 in rent at 17 Florida gas stations.
The Blue Owl Capital Connection
The first Freedom Fuel station, located in Dresher, Pennsylvania, is owned by a subsidiary of Blue Owl Capital, an investment firm. Trump has owned up to $25 million worth of Blue Owl stock, though his most recent financial disclosure says he sold almost all of that stake. Blue Owl stated it leases stores to independent contractors and “is not involved in the tenant’s operations or business decisions.”
A Political Tool Amid War and Inflation
The Freedom Fuel Network emerged during a period of elevated gasoline prices caused by the 2026 Iran war. Disruptions to global petroleum markets and uncertainty surrounding shipping through the Strait of Hormuz drove prices up as the July 4th holiday approached — a period when record numbers of Americans were expected to travel during the United States Semiquincentennial celebrations.
On June 24, 2026, Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate major oil companies for price gouging. Just days later, on July 1, he promoted Freedom Fuel on Truth Social, calling it “a VERY smart Retailer” that “is stepping up.” The White House followed with a promotional video showing patrons waving cash and thanking Trump.
The White House has stated it is “not involved in the company, nor has the Administration given the company any funding,” though it acknowledged discussions with individuals who set up the network. An anonymous White House official said no one had spoken with Syed Kazmi — implicitly confirming discussions with Shamikh.
Questions About Sustainability
Industry experts say the $3.47 price was likely below wholesale cost, meaning the chain was selling gas at a loss as a promotional tactic. Jeff Lenard of the National Association of Convenience Stores noted that such promotional pricing typically lasts “a matter of hours or a matter of days.”
Indeed, by July 10, most locations had raised prices to $3.57 per gallon, and by July 20, some stations were charging $3.82 — though still 27 cents below nearby competitors. The Freedom Fuel Network’s website credits Trump’s “strong endorsement” for “explosive growth,” reporting average volume increases of 50 percent, with some stations seeing 100 percent increases.
What’s Next
The Freedom Fuel Network raises several unresolved questions: How is it financing below-market prices? What was the nature of White House discussions with the founders? Did Trump’s ownership of Blue Owl stock create any conflict of interest? And can the network survive long-term, or is it a temporary political stunt?
As prices continue to creep upward and the Kazmi brothers’ legal history draws scrutiny, the network that began as a patriotic symbol of Trump’s economic agenda may face increasing pressure to explain its operations — and its origins.