Trump Goon Caught Pushing Bogus Oil Tanker Claim

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright caused a brief flurry of activity in global oil markets after posting—and then deleting—a false report claiming that the United States had escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital strategic waterway, as part of the ongoing conflict with Iran.

In a monumental social media gaffe, Wright wrote on X on Tuesday that “the US Navy successfully escorted an oil tanker through the Strait of Hormuz to ensure the continued supply of oil to global markets,” praising the president for “maintaining global energy stability” during the Middle East conflict.

This post by Wright, which has earned him the nickname “Chris Wrong” from some of his critics due to his frequent social media activity, did not go unnoticed by market analysts and was deleted within minutes.

The price of crude oil fell below $80 a barrel immediately after the message was posted, before recovering after it was removed.

During her White House press briefing Tuesday afternoon, White House Press Secretary Carolyn Leavitt told reporters: “Yes, I was made aware of the posting. I have not yet had the opportunity to speak directly with the Secretary of Energy about this.

However, I am aware that the posting was quickly removed, and I want to emphasize that the U.S. Navy is not currently escorting any tankers or ships, although the President has that option and will certainly use it if necessary.”

When asked more specifically about the responsibility of a staff member in the posting and any potential repercussions, Ms. Leavitt simply replied: “I refer you to the Department of Energy for that question.”

Energy Department spokesman Ben Dietrich told The Daily Beast, “A video was removed from Secretary Wright’s official X account after Energy Department staff determined its title was incorrect.”

He said, “President Trump, Secretary of State Wright, and the rest of the presidential energy team are closely monitoring the situation, engaging with industry leaders, and working with the U.S. military to explore alternative ways to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, including the possibility of a Navy escort for the tankers.”

However, not even MAGA-friendly outlets were impressed.

“You know when you’re putting up posts that can move markets, you need to be clear and you need to be accurate in terms of what you’re putting out there,”commented Fox News anchor John Roberts.

Fox News national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin also called the statement “inaccurate,” citing military sources who denied any U.S. Navy escort.

This aligns with comments made earlier in the day by General Dan Keane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who told reporters that the military had not yet been tasked with escorting the oil tankers through the strait.

“We are looking at different options and will address the issues as they arise,” he stated.

This was not the first time Wright had been criticized for his social media posts.

This former energy executive, personally chosen by Trump in part for his staunch defense of fossil fuels, has sometimes drawn attention with his enthusiastic messages in support of the administration, often accompanied by posts praising Trump’s energy strategy and highlighting the supremacy of American oil.

But environmental activists have been more critical.

“In general, his arguments rely on carefully selected data, outdated assumptions, and misleading presentation, all aimed at justifying policies that favor fossil fuels over cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternatives,” wrote Justin Barr of the Natural Resources Defense Council last year.

The deleted post appeared Tuesday, at a crucial moment in the war.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital 34-kilometer-wide waterway between Iran and Oman, carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, making it the world’s most important oil transit point.

However, global trade has virtually ground to a halt as a result of the conflict. Missile attacks on oil tankers, fears of sea mines, and the withdrawal of insurance coverage have led to a sharp decline in commercial shipping.

This situation has prompted the United States to try to reassure oil markets, which fear that a prolonged war could trigger a global energy crisis.

Faced with soaring gasoline prices, Trump posted a message Monday evening threatening Iran with “fire and fury” if it persisted in blocking oil flows in the Gulf. On Tuesday, he reiterated his threat of unprecedented military consequences if Iran laid mines in the Strait of Hormuz and did not remove them.

“If, for whatever reason, mines are laid and not immediately removed, the military consequences for Iran will be of a magnitude never before seen,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.