President Trump hijacked oil markets with social media diplomacy
Key Takeaways
- Oil prices experienced the most chaotic day in history
- President Trump used social media diplomacy to influence oil markets
- Opening Bell Daily provided play-by-play and is hosting a webinar on market moves
Oil market price chaos
Phil, writing from the Future Proof in Miami, says markets experienced the most chaotic day for oil prices in history.
“Good morning, investors”
He reports a staggering $38.29 swing for West Texas Intermediate crude and that crude opened nearly 30% higher, hovering near $120 a barrel.
Phil attributes the moves to "real-time commentary of President Trump" rather than changes in physical supply.
He notes Wall Street analysts scrambled to publish $150 price targets.
Oil market timeline and quotes
Sunday 6:00 PM — "Oil futures surge 30% to $120 a barrel, the highest since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022" (Source: Truth Social).
Monday 1:00 PM — President Trump tells CBS, " I think the war is very complete, pretty much…they have nothing left."
Monday 3:30 PM — WTI crude fell to an intra-day low of $81.25 a barrel, "marking a history $38.23 one-day swing".
Monday 8:30 PM — President Trump posts a warning to Iran not to stop oil flows in the Strait of Hormuz (Source: Truth Social).
The article therefore reports both a $38.29 and a $38.23 one-day swing, a discrepancy it presents without reconciliation.
Oil market volatility summary
Phil calls the episode an "absurd masterclass in social media diplomacy and narrative control."
“Good morning, investors”
He notes that by afternoon prices had reversed and erased earlier gains and that "the smart money isn’t expecting the volatility to abate anytime soon."
He highlights policy and market responses cited elsewhere in the newsletter: Western allies are leaning on oil reserves and "The US is holding discussions over releasing oil buffers to counteract the Gulf oil uncertainty and repercussions of the Iran war" (WSJ).
The newsletter also states "The Strait of Hormuz closure has trapped over 1,000 ships" (WSJ).
Reuters reports "President Trump is waiving certain oil sanctions" and that "The US is moving to ensure adequate oil supply and lower prices in the near-term, and they will remain lifted until the Strait of Hormuz is fully re-opened."
The newsletter positions the volatility as both a risk and an opportunity for investors and promotes a free webinar and related investment actions.