Trump’s Economic Blame Game
President Trump is facing criticism for his shifting economic rhetoric, specifically regarding his stance on oil company profits. Despite previously positioning himself as a pro-business leader, he is now accusing major energy firms of price gouging following the economic fallout of the Iran war.
Why it matters
This highlights a significant pivot in the administration's economic policy and the political tension between corporate profitability and consumer costs during geopolitical instability.
The private sector can’t fully fix the problems that the Iran war has caused.
Beata Zawrzel / NurPhoto / Getty August 6, 2026, 6:51 PM ET Share Save This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here.
At this year’s annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, Donald Trump told a room full of the world’s most prominent CEOs about a routine that he performs when he meets a successful businessperson:
I said, “You’ve doubled your net worth since I’ve been president, right?”
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