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Republicans keep pushing back on Trump's Russian diesel deal

Trump is temporarily easing sanctions on Russian diesel in a deal involving nearly five million tons, with three hundred thousand tons arriving immediately, prompting bipartisan congressional pushback.

On air: Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock on Late Night BBN
Published 10:02 PM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Donald Trump — Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by CNBC: “CNBC Daily Open: Trump defends diesel deal”, with reporting from Washington Examiner.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 10:02 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Hank Ledger and Vera Bullock.
Topics: CNBC Daily Open, Republicans, GOP, Russian, Trump.
BBN covered this story before: Trump pollster says GOP needs better offensive messaging for midterms (October 12).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

CNBCCNBC Daily Open: Trump defends diesel deal
Washington ExaminerTrump says GOP opponents of diesel deal ‘can’t be serious’

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorPresident Trump says Republicans who criticize his Russian diesel deal can't be serious.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe deal is nearly five million tons of diesel, with three hundred thousand tons coming right away.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA lot of fuel for someone who accuses everyone else of not being serious.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorI love a big number. Three hundred thousand tons sounds like a really generous gift basket.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's a gift basket your senators are yelling at.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorBoth parties, which is the first thing they've agreed on since the vending machine.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCNBC says the president defended temporarily easing sanctions on Russian diesel despite the bipartisan criticism.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTemporarily. The most dangerous word in any bill, any lease, and any haircut.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHank, you've had the same haircut since the Clinton years.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's been temporary since then.