Trump Reiterates "Drill, Baby, Drill" as Newsom Blames $86 Billion Fuel Price Surge, Big Oil Profits

California Governor Gavin Newsom took a swipe at President Donald Trump as ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States in the Strait of Hormuz continue to impact U.S. oil and fuel prices.

Trump "Can't End the War," Newsom Says

Citing a Department of Energy post that shared an image of Trump with the caption "Drill, baby, drill!" and calling the president "Mr. Energy," Newsom's press office slammed Trump on the X platform on Tuesday.

"The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and Americans are forced to pay $86 billion more for fuel," the press office said. "Meanwhile, low-energy Trump still can't end the war he started," the post said. Newsom's press office then stated that the Iran situation only benefits "Big Oil, whose profits keep rising!"

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and Americans are forced to pay $86 billion more for fuel—driving up prices across the country.

Meanwhile, low-energy Trump still can't end the war he started. The only ones benefiting: Big Oil, whose profits keep rising!

— Governor Newsom's Press Office, August 19, 2026

Other Democratic leaders have also criticized Trump for favoring Big Oil profits, with Illinois Governor Jay Robert "JB" Pritzker demanding oil companies compensate consumers after reporting record profits. Trump has also urged oil companies to lower pump prices.

However, GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan said in an interview that energy companies have little incentive to lower prices as the president requests, as they are accountable to investors and shareholders.

America's Diesel Problem

While rising gasoline costs have drawn attention, diesel prices have surged in recent weeks, with the diesel crack spread spiking to a record high of $102 per barrel early this week.

According to AAA data, diesel prices have also soared at the pump, with the national average at $5.5042 per gallon on Wednesday, while California's average diesel price surged past $7 per gallon.

Meanwhile, Trump's former counterterrorism director Joe Kent warned against applying economic pressure on Iran, as it could endanger the lives of U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East, after Trump warned that the U.S. is considering "devastating economic" restrictions on Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Chris Wright Pushes for Oil Production Increase

Earlier, Trump's Energy Secretary Chris Wright, in response to criticism over high fuel costs, said oil production has "quadrupled" in the Permian Basin in Texas, while blasting the previous Biden administration's clean energy policies as partly responsible for high energy costs.

However, Representative Don Bacon acknowledged that Trump should have effectively communicated to the public the impact of the Iran war on affordability and prices.