Jimmy Kimmel Skewers Trump’s Claim That Rising Gas Prices Benefit Americans
During a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the late-night host delivered a pointed critique of former President Donald Trump’s recent comments on gasoline prices, framing them as a stark example of economic disconnect.
Trump’s “Stoping” of an “Evil Empire” and the Oil Price Argument
Kimmel began by referencing Trump’s persistent social media presence, specifically a post from Truth Social. The post stated: “The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World. I won’t ever let that happen!”
Kimmel immediately highlighted the post’s grammatical error (“stoping”) and its core economic assertion. “He says when oil prices go up we make a lot of money,” Kimmel paraphrased. “Maybe you and your buddies do, but we don’t make a lot of money. We just pay more for gas when oil prices go up.” This distinction is critical: while higher global oil prices can increase revenue for domestic producers and royalty payments, the immediate and widespread impact on consumers is higher fuel costs, a burden that disproportionately affects lower-income households. The U.S. Energy Information Administration confirms the U.S. has been the world’s largest crude oil producer since 2018, but consumer fuel prices are set by global markets, not domestic production levels alone.
Kimmel drew a sharp contrast with Trump’s 2016 campaign promise to reduce gas prices, noting the irony in now framing higher prices as a geopolitical victory. “The man who campaigned on the promise he would get gas prices under $2 a gallon is now trying to convince us that higher prices are better,” Kimmel remarked, underscoring a perceived shift in messaging.
The “Gaslighting” Pun and Economic Strain on Households
The monologue pivoted to a play on words. “You hear the term gaslighting a lot, but rarely when it comes to actual gas,” Kimmel quipped, directly linking the psychological manipulation term to the literal cost of gasoline.
To ground the joke in reality, Kimmel cited a concerning economic trend: “According to a new survey, a third of Americans say they are skipping meals or cutting back on utilities like heat to pay the rising cost of their health care premiums.” While the survey specifically referenced health care costs, Kimmel used it to illustrate the broader phenomenon of household budget strain caused by persistent inflation in essential categories, including energy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index has consistently shown transportation and energy costs as significant contributors to inflation over the past two years, directly impacting disposable income.
He then mocked the disappearance of other Trump promises, comparing the vanished health care plan to the non-existent “invasion of Greenland,” a satirical reference to Trump’s earlier, widely ridiculed suggestion of purchasing the Danish territory.
Satire Extended: Hegseth, Paul, and the “Sensitive Snowflake”
Kimmel also touched on other recent news, including Trump’s endorsement of YouTube star and boxer Jake Paul. He then turned to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversy over press photographs.
“Who would have ever guessed the guy who spent thousands of taxpayer dollars on a makeup studio might be a little self-absorbed?” Kimmel asked, referencing reports about a makeup facility at the Pentagon. He labeled Hegseth a “phony tough guy” and a “sensitive little snowflake” for objecting to unflattering photos, suggesting the criticism was misplaced. This segment touched on the broader scrutiny of Hegseth’s conduct and use of military resources since his confirmation.
The segment exemplified how political satire often uses specific, reported incidents—from social media posts to government spending—to critique perceived hypocrisy, economic messaging, and character.
