In a series of posts on Truth Social on Thursday, March 12, 2026, President Donald Trump downplayed the economic impact of the surging oil prices triggered by Operation Epic Fury. He positioned the United States not as a victim of the energy crisis, but as its primary beneficiary due to record-breaking domestic production levels.
“We Make a Lot of Money”
President Trump leaned into his “Energy Dominance” platform, telling followers that high prices are a net positive for the American treasury.
- The Logic: Because the US is the world’s largest oil producer “by far,” Trump argued that the revenue generated by domestic sales at $100+ per barrel provides the US with a significant economic cushion.
- The Shift: This marks a sharp pivot from his State of the Union address just last month, where he bragged about gas prices being as low as $2.30/gallon.
- Current Pump Prices: National averages in the US have now hit $3.60/gallon, a nearly 50% increase in just two weeks.
Stopping the “Evil Empire”
Trump emphasized that the military offensive is about global security rather than gasoline costs.
- Nuclear Ultimatum: He labeled Iran an “Evil Empire” and stated that allowing them to acquire nuclear weapons would destroy the Middle East and the world.
- “Trivial Matter”: On Truth Social, he described the current price volatility as a “trivial matter” compared to the existential threat of a nuclear-armed Tehran.
- Refusal to Fold: He rejected calls from political rivals to end the conflict prematurely to lower gas prices, stating he “won’t ever let that happen.”
Strategic Moves: Suspending the Jones Act
To counter the “pain at the pump” while maintaining the war effort, the Trump administration is reportedly preparing an emergency measure:
- Jones Act Suspension: The White House is set to temporarily suspend the Jones Act, a 1920 law that requires goods moved between US ports to be carried on American-built and crewed ships.
- The Goal: By allowing foreign-flagged tankers to move oil between US coasts, the administration hopes to ease internal supply bottlenecks and lower domestic fuel costs without ending the war.
Current Global Oil Benchmarks (March 13, 2026)
The market remains on a knife-edge following Mojtaba Khamenei’s first public address, in which he ordered the Strait of Hormuz to remain closed.
| Benchmark | Price (per barrel) | Daily Change |
| Brent Crude | $100.52 | -0.73% (Slight dip after IEA news) |
| WTI (US Oil) | $95.66 | -0.07% |
| Murban (Middle East) | $117.70 | +16.8% (Premium due to Hormuz blockade) |
“Short-term oil prices… is a very small price to pay for USA and World Safety and Peace. Only fools would think differently.” — Donald Trump, on Truth Social.
The IEA 400M Barrel Release
Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the US will begin releasing its share of the 400 million barrel IEA emergency stock starting next week. The goal is to inject 172 million barrels into the US market over the next 120 days. However, Goldman Sachs analysts warn that as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains contested, the “geopolitical risk premium” will keep prices well above the $90 mark.
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