Donald Trump once again attempted to portray himself as the main beneficiary of falling energy prices. In a post on the Truth Social platform, the politician claimed an approval rating of 59% and linked this to the decline in gasoline, oil, and gas prices. However, market data and independent polls paint a completely different picture.
The 59% approval Trump mentioned actually reflects the level of dissatisfaction with his course of action. According to leading analytical agencies, the real approval rating ranges from 37% to 40%. In other words, the figure the politician presents as support is, in fact, a mirror image of his disapproval rating.
An even more telling situation is unfolding in the oil market. Contrary to Trump's claims of a decline, the price of the benchmark Brent crude rose by nearly 4%, reaching $78.67 per barrel by Sunday evening. After the latest U.S. strikes on Iran, prices even exceeded $79.
Washington has already carried out a fourth massive strike on Iranian targets this week. In response, Tehran attacked U.S. military targets in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Moreover, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic artery through which about 20% of global oil supplies pass. Although the U.S. Central Command denied this information, stating that the passage remains open for vessels, the threat itself destabilizes the market.
Trump published his post a few hours after the strikes, which essentially pushed oil prices up. His statement appears to be an attempt to wishful thinking, especially given that gasoline prices in the U.S. remain at around $3.87 per gallon—roughly 30% higher than before the conflict began in February.
Analytical Conclusion
The situation in the energy market is currently determined solely by geopolitics, not political statements. The escalation around the Strait of Hormuz creates real risks for global supplies, and any price decline Trump mentions seems temporary and unstable. If the conflict drags on, the market could face a new wave of growth, and then the figures voiced by the politician will become merely a historical curiosity.