President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday morning to try to smooth over growing anxieties about the climbing gas prices across the U.S.
The result of Trump's ongoing war in Iran has included soaring fuel costs, with oil prices jumping over $102 per barrel.
Trump had tried to make Americans feel better about the problem by describing it as a kind of freedom tax, alleging that it was the price that people must pay for "freedom." That messaging appears to have fallen flat as the country faces an affordability crisis that will likely worsen with higher gas prices.
The new messaging as of Thursday morning is Trump's claim that "we" will ultimately make more money as the price of gas rises.
"The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping (sic) an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World. I won’t ever let that happen!" Trump promised. "Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP"
The comment didn't go over well.
One stock trader questioned if Trump "wanted" oil prices to go up. Several asked who the "we" is Trump's scenario.
Joe Knuckle, founder and CEO of OptionsHawk, concluded that "we" likely meant "Barron Trump's Oil contracts."
While Daily Beast columnist Julia Davis explained, "America doesn’t — oil companies do."
Mark Jacob, the Former metro editor at the Chicago Tribune, agreed, noting, "Just to be clear: 'we' is not you."
"That’s not accurate. Oil prices have a direct impact on U.S. inflation, bond yields and consumer spending. The U.S. isn’t Russia where oil exports drive growth. For the U.S., persistently high oil prices are largely a drag on the broader economy," wrote Marcos Agustín, the CEO and CIO of Astant Global Management on X.
Political experts simply laughed.
"Credit where due: 'High gas prices are good actually' is a brilliant midterms message, and the president should definitely keep hammering it," Vox's Eric Levitzs said.
"Quiet part out loud. Big Oil spent $96 million helping to elect Trump in 2024, and gave $19 million to his inauguration fund. These were bribes," commented Melanie D'Arrigo, the director of the New York Health Campaign.