Published on: Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:02:57 GMT
Original Story: Trump touted falling gas prices but now says ‘we make a lot of money’ as they go up – NBC News

Trump’s Gas Price Tango: A Two-Step?

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re diving headfirst into the swirling vortex of Trump’s pronouncements on gasoline prices. It’s a wild ride of contradictions, reversals, and enough economic zig-zagging to make your head spin faster than a TikTok dance craze. Remember that time Trump was all about those sweet, sweet low gas prices? Yeah, well, hold onto your hats.

From Price Savior to Profit Prophet

NBC News, bless their fact-checking hearts, has unearthed yet another gem in the form of Trump’s evolving (read: completely flip-flopping) stance on gas prices. Back in the day, when gas prices were lower, Trump was practically taking credit for single-handedly orchestrating the downward trend. He was like the gas price whisperer, soothing the savage beast of inflation with his mere presence. Now? Not so much.

Now that gas prices are, shall we say, less low, Trump’s tune has changed. Suddenly, it’s all about “we make a lot of money” as prices rise. Oh, the sweet sound of revenue! Never mind the fact that regular folks are feeling the pinch at the pump. What’s a few extra bucks per gallon when the economy, as defined by Trump, is thriving? (Spoiler: it’s probably not actually thriving for everyone.)

Didn’t We Hear This Before? 2018 Gas Price Blame Game.

The real kicker here is the sheer hypocrisy of it all. Let’s not forget the summer of 2018. Remember that? The air was thick with humidity, and Trump was busy blaming OPEC for high gas prices. He tweeted up a storm, demanding that OPEC increase production and lower prices. Back then, high gas prices were a personal affront, a sign of global conspiracy against the American people. Now, as prices creep back up, it’s a sign of… prosperity? Someone get me the smelling salts; I think I’m going to faint from the cognitive dissonance.

The Art of the Deal (and the Double Standard)

So, what gives? Is Trump a master strategist playing 4D chess with the global energy market? Or is he simply saying whatever suits his narrative at any given moment, regardless of the facts or his previous statements? I’ll let you be the judge, but I’m leaning heavily toward the latter. It’s all part of the “art of the deal,” I suppose. Or maybe just the art of distraction.

It’s really a master class in selective memory. When the numbers look good, he takes credit. When they don’t? Blame someone else, or simply redefine the terms of success. It’s a playbook that’s been used time and time again. The beauty of it is that there’s a large enough segment of the population that either doesn’t remember or doesn’t care about the previous contradictory statements. All they hear is “we’re making money,” and that resonates.

The Tariff Tango: A Dangerous Dance

And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: tariffs. Trump’s trade wars have a ripple effect on the entire economy, including energy prices. Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and other materials increase the cost of everything from pipelines to drilling equipment. These costs are then passed on to consumers in the form of higher gas prices. So, while Trump might be boasting about the “money” being made, it’s often at the expense of the average American filling up their tank.

It’s easy to lose sight of the interconnectedness of all these factors. A tariff here, a regulatory change there, and suddenly you’re paying more at the pump. And it’s not just gas, either. The cost of goods across the board is affected by these policies. So, while the headlines might scream about economic gains, the reality for many is a tighter budget and less disposable income. But hey, at least “we’re making money,” right?

Project 2025 Implications: Energy Dominance at What Cost?

Consider this within the broader context of Project 2025. The push for energy dominance at all costs could further exacerbate these issues. Deregulation, increased fossil fuel production, and a potential rollback of environmental protections could lead to even more volatility in energy prices. The focus is on short-term gains, with little regard for long-term consequences.

Snarky Takeaway

So, the next time you’re at the gas pump, grumbling about the price, remember Trump’s gas price tango. Remember the 2018 OPEC blame game. Remember the shifting narratives and the convenient amnesia. And remember that, in the world of politics, the truth is often a flexible commodity, bent and twisted to fit the prevailing winds. Just fill ‘er up, smile, and know that “we” (whoever “we” is) are making a lot of money.