Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized President Donald Trump for dismissing high gas prices while celebrating oil industry profits. The criticism followed Trump’s remarks at a Georgia rally, where he highlighted financial gains for oil producers in Texas. Sanders reacted to a video of the speech on X, accusing Trump of prioritizing his billionaire friends over Americans facing higher fuel costs.
During the speech, Trump described rising oil prices as temporary and predicted they would fall once the war ended. He claimed the U.S. oil and gas industry was making hundreds of billions of dollars. He also pointed to Oklahoma and Louisiana as states benefiting from business linked to developments in the Middle East.
However, Trump acknowledged that his advisers had warned him against discussing those gains while Americans paid more at the pump. He anticipated headlines portraying him as boasting about profits while consumers struggled with fuel costs. Despite those concerns, he declared, “I don’t give a damn.” He then added, “We’re making a freaking fortune.”
Sanders challenged those remarks in his X post. He accused Trump of disregarding higher gas prices while “his billionaire friends are making a fortune.” The senator added, “Trump doesn’t tell the truth very often, but he did last night!”
Bernie Sanders’ Criticism of Trump Sparks Debate Over Gas Prices
The exchange drew sharply divided reactions, with some questioning who benefits from rising oil profits while others challenged Sanders’ interpretation.
“Funny how “we’re making a fortune” never seems to include the people paying $90 to fill up the tank,” one user wrote. Another pointed to Trump’s campaign promises: “He should give a damn about higher gas prices. Its one of his broken promises.”
One voter expressed frustration with the president despite previously supporting him. “I voted for him 3 times. It cost me $52 to fill 3/4 of a tank in a Honda Accord yesterday. He doesn’t give a damn? Now I don’t either.”
Another predicted political consequences: “On election day, he’ll hear how his high gas prices worked out for him.”
However, others challenged Sanders’ interpretation of the president’s remarks. “Bernie Sanders’ statement accurately quotes the core phrase used by Donald Trump, but frames who benefits differently than how Trump originally stated it,” one response argued.
A separate user defended the contributions of wealthy Americans, questioning Sanders in return. “Trump’s billionaire friends bring us the Internet, social media cars plane rides jobs entertainment what does Bernie Sanders bring?”
Trump predicted oil prices would fall after the war but gave no specific date. His remarks left unanswered when Americans could expect lower prices at the pump.
