Trump Shares Catsimatidis Warning That Americans Are “Under Attack” by Allies and Enemies Alike
Trump amplifies United Refining Company chairman's claim that geopolitical tensions threaten the U.S. economy as energy prices remain elevated ahead of midterm elections.
WASHINGTON D.C. — Donald J. Trump shared a Fox Business segment in which United Refining Company Chairman and CEO John Catsimatidis argued that the American people are “under attack” by both U.S. enemies and allies.
The post arrived as energy prices remain elevated and the November midterm elections approach, with diesel prices up 14 percent in the past month to roughly $6 per gallon, according to middleeasteye.
Here is the full post on truthsocial: “The American people are “under attack” by US enemies and allies, John Catsimatidis argues: https://video.foxbusiness.com/v/6406535561112” on October 10, 2026 at 8:54 AM ET.
This is Trump’s 16th message released today, and the last post was 38 minutes ago, and it is not part of a thread. On average, Trump produces 18 posts per day since his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The move fits a broader pattern in Trump’s recent messaging, with 54 of his 536 posts over the last 30 days classified as Foreign Policy posts.
The amplification of Catsimatidis comes at a moment of acute tension in global energy markets. Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, traded up 4.5 percent on Thursday amid reports that Iran had attacked a new vessel in the Gulf, according to middleeasteye. One tanker was hit off the coast of Qatar, about 500 kilometers (about 311 miles) west of the Strait of Hormuz, and another was struck off the coast of Oman outside the waterway, according to middleeasteye.
President Donald J. Trump comments in WASHINGTON D.C.
Joyce N. Boghosian / The White House
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Trump wrote on truthsocial earlier this week that the United States would not launch new attacks on Iran before the midterm elections on November 3, according to middleeasteye. “We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump said in that post, according to middleeasteye. “We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd,” he said. The statement followed reports that the Pentagon was preparing for a resumption of high-intensity strikes on Iran, according to middleeasteye.
Energy prices remain a political liability for Trump heading into the midterms, which will determine control of Congress. Middle Eastern refineries are still not operating at full capacity, and the flow of refined petroleum products through the Strait of Hormuz is roughly half of pre-war levels, according to middleeasteye. Oil flows through Hormuz hit almost 90 percent of pre-war levels in late September, but the recovery in refined products has lagged, according to middleeasteye.
American consumers feel the pinch most directly at the fuel pump. Diesel at $6 per gallon raises costs for trucking, shipping, and agriculture, expenses that filter into grocery bills and retail prices across the country. Catsimatidis, who also owns the Gristedes supermarket chain in New York, has a direct vantage point on how energy costs ripple through consumer goods.
The next major decision point arrives on November 3, 2026, when voters head to the polls for the midterm elections. Trump has tied his pledge to refrain from military action against Iran to that date, making the election itself a de facto deadline for the current diplomatic posture.
Zenger analysis
Photo by Zenger analysis
Protomaps / Natural Earth – Iran
Photo by Protomaps / Natural Earth – Iran
Protomaps / Natural Earth – Qatar
Photo by Protomaps / Natural Earth – Qatar
Protomaps / Natural Earth – Oman
Photo by Protomaps / Natural Earth – Oman
President Trump is the author of Trump: The Art of the Deal, Trump: Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know About Success, Real Estate, and Life, and Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life. Analyst and Trump supporter Rod Martin points to The Art of the Deal, Trump's 1987 book, as an explanation of his deal-making philosophy: making big announcements, pivoting often in public statements and, Martin says, ultimately getting what he wanted all along. Critics contend that Trump's books were published decades ago or were aimed at making money, not shedding light. "Generally," Martin said, "critics don't read The Art of the Deal. If they did, they would understand."