Trump Brags About Big Oil Profits From High Gas Prices
Donald Trump ignored direct warnings from his own team during a Georgia rally, choosing instead to celebrate the profits oil and gas companies are reaping from high energy costs. With just 11 days left in the election cycle, the Republican dismissed guidance intended to prevent him from appearing indifferent to the financial strain on consumers.
“I Did Not Give a Damn”
Donald Trump told the Georgia crowd that he was aware of his team’s concerns regarding his rhetoric on fuel prices. According to his remarks at the podium, internal advisers had encouraged him not to celebrate elevated prices at the pump. Trump recalled telling them, “I don’t give a damn. I’m going to say it. We’re making a freaking fortune.”
He suggested to the audience that consumers struggling to pay their bills should be glad they’re paying more at the pump.
The $130 Billion Windfall
The financial reality behind Trump’s comments is backed by recent reporting. The New York Times reports that the U.S. war with Iran has proven lucrative for American oil companies. As people pay higher prices for gasoline, diesel, and other fuel, these firms have earned more than $130 billion in profit.
The scale of these margins creates a stark contrast between corporate balance sheets and household reality.
Washington Post Reports on Political Consequences After Profit Data Release
Three days after the profit data became public, The Washington Post reported on the emerging political consequences. Steve Benen—a producer for “The Rachel Maddow Show,” the editor of MaddowBlog and an MS NOW political contributor—documented the sequence of events following the rally.