President Trump announced last week that the U.S. would team up with a Venezuelan company to pump oil from a large swath of the South American nation's reserves — but actually getting that petroleum out of the ground could come with…
Page A6From§Eachthe late evening edition — 31 August 2026
Trump touts Venezuela oil deal as US hurdles block cheap gas for drivers
The receipts show Trump touting the Venezuela oil deal as a fix for high gas prices, but CBS News documents the reality: logistical and political hurdles mean drivers won’t see relief at the pump. The promise gets made, but the price tag doesn’t budge. The official line is progress—energy independence on the horizon—but the receipts show it’s a podium win, not a pocketbook win. The mechanism is clear: the deal is announced, the obstacles stay in place, and the price keeps climbing. The stakes are literal: every dollar at the pump is another applause line that doesn’t land in the wallet. When the hurdles are built into the deal, the only thing that drops is the hope for cheaper gas.
“Trump waves the Venezuela deal like a prize, but the hurdles mean drivers won’t see cheap gas anytime soon. The promise goes up at the podium, but the price stays put at the pump. The only thing falling is the applause, not the cost.”
“The Venezuela deal is a step in the right direction for energy independence. Sure, there are challenges, but eventually gas prices will come down—did I say ‘eventually’? I meant ‘soon.’ The important thing is the administration is making progress.”
The receipts
President Trump says a new oil reserve agreement with Venezuela will "substantially lower gas prices," but experts say it could be years before the operation is up and running. Chris Pilkerton, assistant secretary for investment security…
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.