By Fatma Younis
President Donald Trump's personal investments in oil and gas stocks have nearly doubled in value over the past year, according to a report released by Democrats on the congressional Joint Economic Committee. The surge in value comes as American families face significantly higher fuel costs driven by the ongoing conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
Investment Growth and Timing
The report indicates that Trump's holdings in these sectors are now valued between $22.5 million and $81.6 million, up from a range of $12.6 million to $46 million at the end of 2025. This increase is attributed to both the rising value of existing stocks and millions of dollars in new purchases made this year. Notably, more than 94 percent of these new purchases occurred after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran in late February.
Impact on American Consumers
As the conflict has continued for seven months, gasoline prices have climbed sharply. The national average for gasoline rose to $4.29 per gallon, up from $2.98 before the conflict began. Data shows that American families have spent an additional $101 billion on fuel since the war started, averaging an extra $856 per household. Trump has addressed the rising costs by stating that higher oil prices are a small price to pay for neutralizing nuclear threats, while also highlighting the massive profits being generated by American oil companies.
White House Response
The White House has responded to the findings by stating that the President’s priority remains lowering gas prices for families. A spokesperson clarified that Trump's stock and bond portfolio is managed independently by third-party financial institutions using computer-based model portfolios. The administration emphasized that neither the President nor his family has the ability to direct or influence investment decisions, maintaining that there are no conflicts of interest.
Portfolio Composition
ExxonMobil and Chevron constitute the majority of Trump’s oil and gas holdings. Both companies have seen their share prices increase by more than 20 percent since February. This development occurs as Trump's overall net worth has risen by more than $1 billion since he returned to office, largely driven by investments in cryptocurrency and hospitality.
