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Trump Oil-and-Gas Trades Fuel Conflict-of-Interest Scrutiny

8/28/2026

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Trump Trades Oil

U.S. President Donald Trump’s investment accounts bought and sold oil and gas stocks while he oversaw the war with Iran in 2026.
The White House says third-party institutions run the portfolio with computer-based models, so Trump does not direct trades, which managers call tax-loss-harvesting.
Financial disclosures show about 3,600 trades worth $212 million-$695 million in Q1 2026.
Trump will meet refiners and retailers in September to discuss cutting gasoline prices above $4.

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Trump Oil Trades

U.S. President Donald Trump’s accounts bought and sold oil and gas stocks while he oversaw the 2026 war with Iran.
Watchdog groups say the trades create a conflict of interest, letting the president profit from oil price spikes that hurt consumers.
On April 7, the day Trump announced a cease-fire, his accounts sold $500,000-$1 million ExxonMobil stock.
Pennsylvania's Mike Gibbons said gas prices are $1 per gallon, hurting his pay and vote.

History

Historical Context

President Barack Obama signed the STOCK Act on April 4 2012, requiring real-time trade disclosures for members of Congress and senior officials. By September 2021 officials had reported roughly 4,000 trades worth $315 million, yet the 2020 insider-trading scandal showed enforcement gaps. Donald Trump’s 2026 oil-and-gas trades during the Iran conflict now face similar subpoena risk under the Act’s 45-day filing rule.

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Trump Trades Oil

U.S. President Donald Trump’s investment accounts bought and sold oil and gas stocks while he oversaw the war with Iran in 2026.
The White House says third-party institutions run the portfolio with computer-based models, so Trump does not direct trades, which managers call tax-loss-harvesting.
Financial disclosures show about 3,600 trades worth $212 million-$695 million in Q1 2026.
Trump will meet refiners and retailers in September to discuss cutting gasoline prices above $4.

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