U.S. President Donald Trump addresses reporters upon his arrival at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, U.S., June 20, 2025.
Ken Cedeno | Reuters
President Donald Trump emphatically urged Americans on Monday to keep oil prices down, emphasizing that failure to do so would play directly into the hands of our adversaries amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Recent U.S. strikes on Iran have only heightened concerns over energy supply disruptions.
The President proclaimed, “EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I’M WATCHING! YOU’RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON’T DO IT!,” in a pointed post on his social media platform, Truth Social. This demands attention, as the ramifications of inflation and skyrocketing energy costs threaten to strangle hardworking families across the nation.
U.S. crude oil fell by 75 cents, or 1.02%, settling at $73.09 per barrel in response to the President’s call to action. Global benchmark Brent decreased by 73 cents, or 0.95%, to $76.28 per barrel.
Trump’s admonition comes in the wake of significant military action, as the U.S. bombed Iran’s strategic nuclear installations. The very real danger is that the Islamic Republic may retaliate by targeting vital energy supplies, which could trigger an uncontrollable spike in global prices, further burdening American consumers already grappling with rampant inflation.
While the President’s message was broad, it seemingly directed the U.S. oil industry—a sector that has faced challenges from federal regulations and geopolitical strains. Earlier in the year, some companies warned they might need to curtail production due to a combination of tariffs and increased OPEC+ supply undermining prices. Such corporate elitism only exacerbates the struggles of middle-class Americans.
“To The Department of Energy: DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!,” declared Trump in a follow-up post. This is a clarion call for embracing free-market principles. It is imperative that the government refrains from overreach and allows energy producers to respond dynamically to market conditions without undue interference.
In addressing Trump’s comments, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields noted, “As the President said, producers must keep oil prices down or risk playing into the hands of the enemy.” This perspective aligns with traditional values of personal accountability and self-reliance, which must be our guiding stars as we navigate such turbulent times.
The oil market, however, seemed relatively unshaken by the military actions against Iran, as futures trading remained mostly stable throughout Monday morning. Notably, Brent briefly surged over 5% on Sunday evening, hitting $81 before settling. WTI also reached highs not seen since January, only to retract slightly afterwards.
