Trump Says He Doesn't 'Give A Damn' About Gas Prices As US Making 'Fortune'
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
President Donald Trump has said he does not "give a damn" about potential criticism of his remarks boasting that the United States is making a "fortune" from high oil prices, as American motorists continue to face elevated gasoline costs.
Speaking at a rally in Georgia on Saturday, October 24, Trump said advisers had warned him against highlighting the financial gains associated with rising oil prices, suggesting the comments would invite criticism over the cost of fuel for ordinary Americans.
In footage of the rally shared online, Trump claimed the US oil and gas industry was making billions of dollars amid the conflict in the Middle East, presenting higher oil prices as a source of financial gains for the country.
"Our country is making hundreds of billions of dollars because of what's happened in the Middle East, because they're coming to Texas and they're coming to Oklahoma and they're coming to Louisiana and they're taking that oil," Trump said.
"My people say, please don't mention that, Sir, people are paying a little higher," Trump said, adding that he expected gas prices to fall.
"I can just see the fake headlines," Trump said. "President Trump is talking about all the money they're making while people are suffering at the pump."
"But I said, ‘I don't give a damn, I'm gonna say it: We're making a frickin fortune,’" he added.
Trump went on to claim that Americans were "paying lower than Biden and Obama and they don't have nuclear weapons," apparently referring to Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Under Obama, the U.S. national average gas price peaked at $3.93 per gallon in May 2011, and under Biden, it peaked at $5.06 in June 2022, according to govargus.com.
There has been widespread backlash to Trump's comments online. California Governor Gavin Newsom reposted footage of Trump's remarks at the rally commenting: "Congratulations to Big Oil on their very successful, record-profits presidency."
Newsweek contacted the White House via email Sunday for comment.
The national average price of regular gasoline stood at approximately $4.29 per gallon on October 25, according to the American Automobile Association ( AAA ).
That was down from approximately $4.49 a month earlier but significantly higher than the $3.06 average recorded a year ago. The latest figures represent an increase of around $1.23 per gallon over 12 months, equivalent to roughly 40 percent.
AAA's reported national averages for other fuel types were approximately $4.80 per gallon for midgrade gasoline, $5.20 for premium and $6.35 for diesel.
Prices vary considerably across the country, with motorists in some states paying substantially more than the national average. The figures also illustrate the distinction between the financial benefits Trump attributes to the energy sector and the costs facing households at the pump.
Although gas prices had eased from their September levels, the year-over-year increase meant drivers were still paying considerably more to fill their tanks than they had a year earlier.
Trump has repeatedly pointed to the potential financial benefits of higher oil prices for American energy producers and oil-producing states.
But higher crude oil prices can also put pressure on consumers by increasing the cost of gasoline, diesel and transportation. The extent to which domestic producers benefit depends on factors including production costs, market prices and the wider economic effects of more expensive energy.
There have been numerous protests across the country protesting the Iran war and its impact on gas prices.
As previously reported by Newsweek , nearly three-quarters of likely voters disapprove of how President Trump has handled gas prices, with the midterm elections days away and his overall approval rating at the lowest point of his second term.
A New York Times /Siena poll found that 73 percent of likely voters disapprove of Trump's handling of gas prices, compared with 24 percent who approve. The poll surveyed 3,494 voters, October 12-19.
No issue in the poll scored worse for the president, and the frustration runs well past Democrats: 77 percent of independents disapprove, along with 42 percent of Republicans and 43 percent of people who voted for him in 2024.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren posted on X on Friday: "I'd like to report a fraudster in the Oval Office. Trump promised to lower costs on Day 1. But instead he launched a war that increased the prices of everything from gas to groceries."
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"Our country is making hundreds of billions of dollars because of what's happened in the Middle East..."
The purpose of the Democratic Party’s policy agenda is designed to make gas more expensive. Upon what basis could a Democratic Party supporter possibly disagree with him?
Do you recognize that prices across the board are unnecessarily higher because of Trump's irrational actions? Do you recognize the incompetence and irresponsibility of Trump? Do you recognize that the Ds are likely to take control of Congress because of Trump?
Trump continues to damage this nation, and has severely damaged the GoP. Do you recognize what this corrupt psychopath has done to your party?
Yet, even now, you deflect to criticize the Ds rather than be critical of the worst (by far) PotUS in our lifetimes.
Many seem incapeable, irregardless of dumb phux actions or words, of ever saying a negative word about 'his', while excusing and or atteacking, those making accurate depictions, being criticized for pointing out fax, of 47, and his constant wrong use of words and deeds, indeed.
at prices across the board are unnecessarily higher because of Trump's irrational actions.
Sure, the war in Iran has made prices temporarily higher. But of course, they will be made significantly lower over the long term with a successful conclusion.
Meanwhile, the Democrats support policies that are intended to make gas prices higher. It's literally the point. Do you not recognize that? Do you recognize the mental disconnect it takes for a supporter of democratic policies to be upset by a policy that causes higher gas prices?
You ignore the fact that the war was unnecessary and has put the USA (and the world) in a much worse long-term position with Iran. And where do you get the idea that prices are going to magically become significantly lower?? Fuel prices likely will, but the rest of the prices historically do not reverse.
We have a corrupt, incompetent, irrational psychopath as PotUS who is the single biggest threat to our nation yet you again immediately deflect to the Ds.
this is watts heards from the herds, and it downRight Disturbs, me, and most would agree, disturbed enuff, is ME
Iran spent 40 years killing Americans and terrorizing our allies in the region. Iran is now the weakest it's been in decades. Iran played its nuclear card (short of obtaining a nuclear bomb ) shut down the straight of Hormuz card and lost. It's more strategically isolated than ever before and it's terrorist proxies have been decimated. It will take decades to recover economically. Trump has, indisputably, reoriented the balance of power in America's favor.
t threat to our nation yet you again immediately deflect to the Ds.
Because the issue is energy policy. Note you have not even attempted to contradict the undisputed claim that Democratic policies result in higher energy prices.
Trump had already ‘obliterated’ their nuclear program. Nobody of credibility has supported the bullshit that this war was necessary. You actually believe Trump’s lies??
Now that Trump pushed Iran to use its Strait of Hormuz option, Iran now knows the power of this option and what the world would do when it exercises its power.
Iran’s regime is now in a strong position to pressure the global economy and Trump does not have a clue on how to fix this.
Trump is the current problem. Recognize that! When the Ds take control and start fucking up, then it will be appropriate to criticize them.
Recognize that Trump is arguably the worst PotUS in history and that he is the single biggest threat to the health of our nation.
But of course, they will be made significantly lower over the long term with a successful conclusion.
Of course? Successful conclusion? Lol, how’s that kool aid?
With a sucessful conclusion . . .
So I suppose that means the relevant question to ask is not whether or not the prices will come down with a "sucessful conclusion"-- but rather how long it will be 'till we have a "sucessful conclusion" . . .
How? Our oil does not come from the strait.
They will never go completely down. Oil industry has come up with an excuse (more or less justified) to increase prices again, why drop back down all the way when people have shown they'll pay for it despite all the grumbling?
You and others always go to the statement "Democrats want fuel prices to be high...they pass policies to make fuel prices higher..." or similar. Yet proof isn't provided for these agendas, policies, actions.
Sure, you can say CA and their need for "summer" and "winter" blends is BS, which I agree to a point as vehicles are pretty efficient and that's more of oil companies jacking up prices for the switch-over, but hell, that's darn near every state. EPA emissions protections are both sides of the aisle and really doesn't have to do with fuel prices. Fuel taxes are what they are, no matter who's in office. Drill baby drill is a crock for the ignorant and uninformed b/c drilling increased under the last two Democratic presidents.
It doesn't seem all that long ago that progressives were demanding high gas prices in order to make internal combustion engines more expensive and less desirable, all in order for the world to move to electric cars and trucks. With that in mind, one has to wonder why they are not in the streets cheering the prices. Oh wait, but Trump. Answered my own question...
Do you think they are wrong to criticize Trump for the high gas prices when he promised to cut energy prices in half and lower consumer prices across the board? Instead he pushed prices higher with his idiotic tariffs and made things much worse with his illegal and unnecessary war with Iran.
What is more important, spinning a weak shot of hypocrisy against 'progressives' or criticizing the administration that is directly damaging our nation and its people right now?
And Trump, quite stupidly, but not for his backers and investments, steered US to Coal ( clean Coal, Nat King style)while removing incentives towards wind, sun, and also electric cars. Then starts a by choice war with Iran, then I jogged, my memeory, cause what the fck already, he even campaigned on it asking Big Oil for a billion, and boy, has that little investment paid off big, whilst we dance upon a twig, cause i'll go out on a limb here, and ask Y, cause we know it couldn't have been the influence that big oil has on wealth and power, hell, ain't Trump averaging bout a MILLION per Hour....? Too bad it's not Millionn miles per hour as he jets away on Space XXX with Elon and a few Elephant Tusk Musks', cause Donny can't help but show, how he's not only a child molestin Corrupted Quart infestin and investin pedo, and molester of children of the female persuasion, butt, also a seeker fore skin in the beaker breaking bad while gauckin at rears of boyz and dad,men, and all that slab meating his cock holster to bolster his protein intake, with every orgasm these pedo protectin fools fake for reel, cause Trump showed US All, the Fart of the Deal, as his odor makes young children, and old fcks as well, squeal like a Gynecologist delivering Ned Beattys Deliverance of in an Added Vance, wear Hillbilly Boy get's to jump for Joy, and Jack, off to a Beverly Hillbillies' Elegee, isn't that the guy who refferred to Trump as Hitler, but the Dumber Blonded down version of extra perversion, cause one has to concurr sion, cause what a disturbed time we live in
"Iran is now the weakest it's been in decades."
Now is the time to finish the job
Explain how that is accomplished.
quit messing around. Best opportunity was missed but still can be done
First give support to opposition in Iran.
Next, target command and control
Don't hold back anybody else who wants to strike high value targets
Give Iranians who want a different government help
Support actions by other countries in the area that what current dictators removed, they will do what
we are scared to do
How, specifically, do you propose supporting the Iranian opposition? Trump already urged protesters to take over government institutions and promised that “help is on its way.” The regime subsequently killed thousands yet the direct protection many protesters expected never materialized. What additional action are you proposing now? And why do you think the Iranian opposition will believe any promises made by the USA at this point?
This is what Hegseth and Trump have been doing! They killed the top level of the regime. They repeatedly struck command-and-control infrastructure. They seriously degraded their military.
Again, high-value targets have already been struck repeatedly—leadership compounds, command centers, missile and drone facilities, air defenses, military-industrial sites, naval facilities, etc.. Which high-value targets remain that you believe would materially change the outcome? This regime need only control the Strait of Hormuz, and it does not seem to care much about its civilians and collateral losses.
If by that you mean assemble an international coalition to invade Iran, destroy the remaining security apparatus, and remove the government, then yes, that might be capable of toppling the regime. But do you recognize what that entails—in American and allied lives, Iranian civilian casualties, occupation forces, time, and potentially enormous financial cost? And what is the plan for governing Iran afterward? Remember Afghanistan; that was a far weaker regime than Iran.
Given all of the above, what specific additional action are you proposing? What achievable objective will it accomplish? What happens if it fails? And if it succeeds in collapsing the regime, who governs the 90 million Iranians afterward?
The idea of “finish the job” sounds simple until one is required to define what “finished” means.
Trump initiated a war without a viable path from military destruction to a sustainable political end state. Months later, Iran’s government remains in power; it retains substantial leverage through the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump still cannot answer the fundamental question: what attainable outcome ends this war?
Trump is way over his head ... he stupidly stepped into a quagmire that other PotUS' were smart enough to avoid and has no clue what to do at this point.
exactly how is for Generals and the CIA
Let Israel do what they want and can do. They don't care about things that USA worries about doing.
I am not sure what you are trying to say here. Are you saying that 'finish the job' means to just let Israel do whatever they wish? Wash our hands and walk away? Your comment is unclear to me.
Further, I offered a meaty response, made a number of points, and raised several questions.
Been there, done that. Neither Israel or the US is willing to put the forces needed into the situations that they would necessarily be required to in order to achieve the desired outcome. I don't think that you are going to find too many others around who want to, either.
Letting Israel loose is part of it,
Generals and spies with good information and the weapons we have can be used effectively. How they do it is why they are Generals
Find where the targets are and eliminate them
It is easy to state ideals, charger. 'Just do it' can be a fine objective, but it has little meaning without at the very least a rational framework for how it is to be accomplished.
That is what we have been doing.
Look at it from another perspective: if Trump had been presented with a credible military option that could have ended this war quickly on favorable terms for the United States and at an acceptable cost, why would he not use it?
The fact that the war continues months later—despite repeated strikes, enormous military pressure, failed ceasefires, negotiations, and repeated conflicting claims that progress is imminent—strongly suggests that no obvious military solution exists that produces an acceptable outcome.
The plain fact is that we have an incompetent PotUS contradicting himself and, of course, lying to the American people.
Our military is more than capable of identifying and destroying targets. What is not so easy is converting military destruction into a stable political settlement favorable to the United States. It is not going to happen with Trump at the helm.
Some people don't seem to get this. The only way we are going to end this war in a manner that frees the Strait of Hormuz is with boots on the ground. They could be Israeli boots .. We don't know.
Exactly. We are talking about full-scale escalation. Conquering a nation. Dealing with the long-term results of same.
The lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan should NOT be ignored. Iran is a much larger territory, has a much stronger regime, and a massive population of 90+ million. This is why rational presidents of the USA have NOT attempted to bomb a regime change.
I cannot imagine an Israeli invasion of Iran under any circumstances. It's just not feasible and I do not believe the Israeli public would support it.
The problem with any war in the ME is they fight with multiple independent cells of fighters. They don't receive or take orders from a central command.Iraq was an enemy of Iran until we fucked them. Now Iran, Iraq and to some extent the Taliban in Afghanistan. In 2000 years the west has not conquered the ME. It's best we just leave them the fuck alone.
But many of the most experienced generals are being fired:
And its not entirely flat either:
A land invasion of Iran would result in a YUGE number of Israeli casualties . . .
What I consider an actual valid complaint about Trump. When someone knows (thinks) they are the smartest person in the room they are less likely to listen to the people that are actually much smarter in a particular area. And in the case of Trump fires them.
Maybe he should promise $5K checks to every Iranian person, oh, wait, only adults, and a medical plan if they help him defeat Iran. No, wait, $5K checks only men with muscular asses and women with Nikki Manij booties and boobs.
Exactly. It's like having Goofy give cooking instructions to Baby Huey and Dumb Donald (literally this time) and expecting a great meal instead of getting cold hot dog water.
You mean you and your oil buddies, you fucking half-wit! The rest of us are suffering not only at the pump but at the grocery store. Yeah....yeah...I know....you don't give a flying fuck. I ain't gonna give a flying fuck when you kick the bucket. I will probably cheer!
Yes. His "oil buddies" . . . plus a small number of just "ordinary folks" who had the insight to invest in the stock market (by buying stocks of oil companies).
However for the vast majority of Americans its meant being hurt economically. For at least two reasons:
1. The outrageous cost of gas for their cars.
2. Increases in the price of almost everything sold in stores. (Everything you buy in stores had to be transported to those stores-- usually by large trucks using diesal fuel (which has gone up even more than ordinary gas).
Bingo.