'Trump just said the quiet part out loud': Bernie Sanders thinks the president tipped his hand while boasting about US oil profits during a gas crisis

Trump shared some choice words about high oil prices at a political rally in Perry, Georgia on Oct. 24, less than two weeks ahead of the midterm elections on Nov. 3.

During the rally, Trump attempted to galvanize support for Senate Rep. Mike Collins and gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson by addressing the high gas prices Americans are paying at the pump ever since the beginning of the Iran war in February.

“Oil prices are temporarily high and will be falling dramatically in a short period of time, as soon as that war is over,” he said.

In the meantime, U.S. oil companies are majorly cashing in due to the conflict in the Middle East. Trump said that while the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, buyers are coming to Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana for oil. He also touted the U.S. oil deal with Venezuela in his speech.

“We’re making money like this country has never made before,” he said at the rally, adding the U.S. is “making hundreds of billions of dollars.”

“And then on top of it we have Venezuela.”

Predicting the backlash he might receive, Trump said, “I can just see the fake headlines. ‘President Trump is talking about all the money they’re making while people are suffering at the pump.’ I don’t give a damn. We’re making a freaking fortune.”

According to a Q2 report from Oil & Gas Journal, American oil producers and refiners are indeed making more money. In fact, the 38 U.S. producers and refiners sampled in the report collectively grew revenues by about $140 billion year-over-year.

The criticism was almost immediate

Trump mentioned he was advised not to highlight the profits that U.S. oil companies are making as a result of the Iran War, seemingly fearing the impact that such comments could have on major political midterm races.

Sanders, meanwhile, wasn’t the only politician to bring attention to Trump’s comments.

“Congratulations to Big Oil on their very successful, record-profits presidency,” California governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also wrote on X that gas prices are temporarily high “because Republicans are temporarily in power. Vote.”

And there was more where that came from. Political consultant and analyst David Axelrod also chimed in, saying, “Give @POTUS credit for leveling with the American people. He’s making money like he’s never made before. And he doesn’t give a damn about high gas prices.

“Not a great closing message, though,” he added.

As of Oct. 26, the average price of regular gas is $4.28, up from $3.05 one year ago, per AAA. Diesel is up more than $2.50 compared to last year, which has directly impacted the price of groceries and other consumer goods Americans pay for that are transported by trucks. Diesel is also used heavily by farmers to operate machinery.