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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Monday, May 18, 2026

The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Monday plans to release more than 53 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

The oil will be released on loan to multiple energy companies in an effort to ease global markets that have been unstable since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, triggering a war and escalating tensions in the Middle East.

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I seem to remember posters here acting like Biden's releases of oil from the SPR was a desperate move of a weak POTUS.

Now the MaStEr NeGoShEeAtOrz POTUS is dumping oil left and right to try and cover for his colossal blunder in Iran.

Between the intentional hiring of incompetent, unqualified sycophants for leadership positions and being a s*&^ty fake bithnithman himself, Trump is f*&^ing this country seven ways from Sunday.

And the idiots still continue to support him no matter what.

#1 | Posted by jpw at 2026-05-19 12:06 AM | Reply

On loan? So they don't even have to pay for it?

#2 | Posted by REDIAL at 2026-05-19 12:11 AM | Reply

#1 Because they're in a cult.

"The oil will be released on loan"

A loan that will never be repaid thereby turning it into just another theft of taxpayer funds for their billionaire friends.

That is so on brand for the most corrupt and worst president ever.

#3 | Posted by Nixon at 2026-05-19 07:01 AM | Reply

So?

AI Overview Presidents who have authorized emergency sales or drawdowns from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) include George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
1. George H.W. Bush (1991)Context: The Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm).Action: Ordered the first-ever emergency drawdown, releasing roughly (17.3) million barrels to stabilize global energy markets following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

2. Bill Clinton (1996, 2000)Context: Market volatility and rising gasoline prices.Action: Authorized smaller sales in (1996) and created the Heating Oil Exchange in (2000) to exchange and release reserves to mitigate winter heating supply crunches.

3. George W. Bush (2005)Context: Hurricane Katrina.Action: Sold and loaned approximately (20.8) million barrels of oil after the hurricane severely disrupted oil platforms and refineries in the Gulf Coast region.

4. Barack Obama (2011)Context: Civil war in Libya.Action: Coordinated with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to release (30) million barrels to offset disruptions to the global oil supply.4. Barack Obama (2011)Context: Civil war in Libya.Action: Coordinated with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to release (30) million barrels to offset disruptions to the global oil supply.

5. Joe Biden (2021, 2022)Context: Post-pandemic inflation and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Action: Authorized historic drawdowns, including a record-breaking release of (180) million barrels over six months beginning in early (2022) to mitigate global supply chain issues.6. Donald Trump (2020, 2026)Context: Short-term market volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic and international supply disruptions.Action: Authorized exchanges of crude oil in (2020) and a large-scale emergency release to offset energy shocks and stabilize prices.For more details on the exact amounts sold or the legal requirements for tapping the reserve, check the Department of Energy SPR History overview.. Joe Biden (2021, 2022)Context: Post-pandemic inflation and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Action: Authorized historic drawdowns, including a record-breaking release of (180) million barrels over six months beginning in early (2022) to mitigate global supply chain issues.

6. Donald Trump (2020, 2026)Context: Short-term market volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic and international supply disruptions.Action: Authorized exchanges of crude oil in (2020) and a large-scale emergency release to offset energy shocks and stabilize prices.For more details on the exact amounts sold or the legal requirements for tapping the reserve, check the Department of Energy SPR History overview.

#4 | Posted by MSgt at 2026-05-19 04:52 PM | Reply

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