‘TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE’: Trump Reveals Motivation for Opening Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump speaks at the Future Investment Initiative Institute’s summit Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump on Friday morning revealed his motivations behind forcing open the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of restrictive passage.

Shortly after the start of the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran, Iranian forces effectively seized control of the narrow waterway. The move resulted in significant economic disruption, sparking an energy crisis that has seen gas prices skyrocket.

Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with more destruction if the country does not reopen the strait to the Western world.

In recent days, however, Trump’s messaging on the strait has been mixed. Although he’s boasted about the fact that the U.S. doesn’t actually need the oil that comes from it, he’s also criticized the U.S.’s NATO allies for not joining the war and helping to reopen the strait.

On Friday, the president took to Truth Social to again call for the Strait of Hormuz to be taken by force, saying:

With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A “GUSHER” FOR THE WORLD??? President DONALD J. TRUMP

—

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!