Blue Press Journal

Tag: inflation and fuel costs

  • Trump’s Diesel Gimmicks Won’t Fool Voters: Why Middle East War—Not Executive Orders—Drives Fuel Prices

    by Winston Wendell

    As Donald Trump desperately seeks a political quick fix ahead of the midterms, his administration is prepared to put on yet another economic sideshow. The reported President’s proposed executive orders, are to curb soaring diesel prices represent a convenient political spectacle to hide the Trump administration’s own unsavory conduct in regards to the Iranian crisis.

    Shell fuel price sign listing Unleaded 4.15, Plus 4.35, Premium 4.55, Diesel 4.89, and V-Power 4.79; Credit self serve and Debit/Cash.

    The obvious truth is that any executive orders related to diesel will have little to do with Trump’s ability to affect the situation. The fuel is a globally traded commodity, the price of which is subject to the forces of supply and demand. A presidential fiat will not change the fundamentals of the market, no matter how much Trump wants to believe in his magical thinking. Even eliminating the Federal tax on diesel is little consolation to the record high prices. The President himself seems to recognize this, which is why he oscillates between the idea of banning diesel exports and then cancelling the ban just a few days later. Trump simply does not have the competence to meaningfully address the energy crisis.

    Instead of accepting responsibility for his role in the crisis, Trump tries to shift the blame. In truth, Trump’s bellicose rhetoric towards Iran is the catalyst which has driven up the prices of oil and, by extension, diesel. The mere threat of conflict causes financial markets to tighten their belts, with energy prices spiking at the first sign of trouble. The instability in the Middle East is a risk factor which affects the entire supply chain, from shipping and refining to retail sales.

    Trump’s proposed executive orders are an attempt to obfuscate his involvement in the crisis, while also serving as a distraction for the public. By attacking Iran in the first place he created the problem. Trump is once again proven to be unprepared to deal with situations of this scale. He is a politician first and a President last, willing to sacrifice American interests and lives on his political whims. As long as Trump continues his reckless crusade against Iran, the American consumers will suffer the consequences of skyrocketing diesel prices.

  • Gas Prices Soar While Big Oil Reaps $26.5B: Inside the 2026 Affordability Crisis

    by Winston Wendell

    Every time we stop for gas and see the price creeping past four bucks a gallon, it stings—it’s a blunt reminder of how much harder life’s gotten for regular folks. Meanwhile, the oil giants? They’re swimming in profits. Costs for everything else just keep rising. Families are stretched to the breaking point, but big oil corporations are basically making out like bandits, especially now with all the chaos in Iran.

    Gas pump on fire at a gas station with signs showing high fuel prices and warnings

    Let’s just say it straight: after President Trump launched that military strike—something a lot of legal experts straight-up call illegal—fuel prices shot up worldwide. The oil companies jumped at the chance. In just the first quarter of 2026, ExxonMobil and Chevron pulled in $26.5 billion combined. And it’s not just here in the States. Shell and TotalEnergies are raking it in overseas, too.

    These numbers tell the story. ExxonMobil pulled in $14.5 billion, and a big chunk—$9.4 billion—got funneled right to their shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends. Chevron? They just had their best quarter in six years, pocketing $12 billion.

    It’s a pileup of cash at the top, while people everywhere are barely scraping by. A fresh Harris survey says 95% of Americans see the country stuck in a full-blown affordability crisis, with gas and groceries eating up most of their paychecks.

    And honestly, people aren’t just sitting quietly. A group of Democratic senators is calling out the oil giants for padding their profits while families get slammed by high prices. Things only got more heated after President Trump flat-out said his administration isn’t planning to help with the fallout from the war.

    Environmental groups and consumer advocates aren’t backing down, either. The Sierra Club and others are pushing Congress to tax these massive profits so that some of the money actually ends up in the hands of people who need it. Critics say oil execs are cozying up to the White House, fighting off new clean energy projects—stuff that could eventually give folks some breathing room.

    The bottom line: every time we stop at the pump, it’s a cold reminder—the oil industry keeps cashing in off global crises, while everyone else is just scrambling to hang on.

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