Augusta, Maine — When repeatedly asked about his support for Trump’s war in Iran and the war’s impact on gas and diesel prices, Bobby Charles has boldly claimed that the conflict has “nothing” to do with rising energy costs. But during a Maine Calling interview, Charles finally admitted what he has spent months denying.

Asked whether he would “be willing to admit that the extraordinarily large increases in record prices for diesel, home heating oil, gasoline, and K1 have been caused exclusively by Donald Trump’s war in Iran,” Charles eventually conceded, “But I- and so the answer to the question, of course, is yes. This is an additional factor that is driving up diesel prices.”

Charles finally acknowledging the obvious begs the question:

If Bobby Charles knows Trump’s war is driving up energy costs for Mainers, why did he support it in the first place?

This isn’t the first, second, or third time Charles is shamelessly attempting to side-step important questions. In an interview this week, News Center Maine’s Phil Hirschkorn called Charles out for trying to change his budget proposal in real time. Charles has also tried to run away from his record of supporting Trump’s tariffs. The desperate scramble is indicative of a campaign that’s behind in every public poll and eagerly grasping for any hope right before Election Day.

Statement from Maine Democratic Party Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen:

“Bobby Charles spent months pretending Trump’s war in Iran had nothing to do with rising gas and diesel prices, and now he’s finally admitting what everyone already knew. Mainers are paying more at the pump because of the war Charles supports, yet he wants voters to trust him to lead our economy.”