Trump’s Russian Diesel Deal Blows Up in His Face as 22 Days Before Midterms His Own Party Revolts
Trump promised cheap Russian diesel to lower prices before the November 3 midterms, but Republicans in Congress are furious and calling it a gift to Putin.
U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing a plan to import Russian diesel into the United States to bring down fuel prices just weeks before the midterm elections on November 3, but the move has triggered rare public backlash from members of his own Republican Party [261546]. Critics say the plan helps Russia while hurting Ukraine, which is fighting a war against Russian forces, and the timing is especially sensitive because energy prices are a key issue for voters [261546].
The White House has not backed down, but the debate shows growing concern in Washington over the political and strategic costs of the plan [261546]. Trump announced the agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Truth Social, saying Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and world market, another 500,000 tons during November, and 1,000,000 tons immediately after [259026]. He added that Russia would deliver 3,000,000 tons shortly, depending on the state of its refineries [259026]. "Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz and this great announcement on Russian energy, diesel prices for Americans and, in fact, for the entire world, WILL FALL AT A RECORD AND RAPID PACE!" Trump said [259026].
The announcement comes just three weeks after Trump signed new sanctions against Russia on September 18, targeting Russian officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of oil tankers [259026]. The law also banned new U.S. investment in Russia and threatened 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian oil or gas [259026]. Now, Putin is coming to Trump's rescue [259026].
Diesel prices have soared. On Friday, the average diesel price nationwide was $6.27 per gallon — more than 70% higher than a year ago, according to AAA [259026]. Trump's order also delays until the end of the year a federal tax of $0.24 per gallon on regular highway diesel, though most states add their own diesel taxes [259026].
The Russian diesel plan is part of a broader scramble by Trump to win the midterms. With only about 30% of Americans approving of his performance, the president is personally campaigning across the country, turning the vote into a referendum on his leadership [259026]. If Republicans lose, he loses control of Congress — something he refuses to accept [259026].
Trump has also promised to pay $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans win the elections, a move critics call an attempt to buy votes [259026][258381]. The cost is estimated at between $1 trillion and $1.35 trillion, which would raise the fiscal deficit and national debt [259026]. In late August, he authorized the tariff-free import of 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef to sell at lower prices, a move that angered American ranchers [259026]. He also approved a 90-day measure to allow cheaper agricultural diesel on highways, saying: "I made this little measure because I think it's very important and it lasts a very short time. I don't intend to renew it" [259026].
The stakes are clear. Every House seat and roughly one-third of the Senate are up for election, and control of either chamber could shift, potentially blocking or advancing the president's agenda [261247]. Key races will unfold in swing states where polling remains tight, and both parties are expected to pour millions into a small number of districts that could tip the national outcome [261247]. Former President Barack Obama has taken a bigger role in the campaign, raising money, recording ads, and appearing at events. He warns that many races are extremely close and the outcome is "on the razor's edge" [258592]. Steve Bannon, a key figure in Trump's 2016 campaign and a former White House adviser, believes a Republican victory is imperative [260631].
Three issues are shaping the midterm elections more than affordability, according to ground reporting from Middle America: fraud in Minnesota, growth in Ohio, and culture in Texas [261418]. These forces are driving races across the region [261418].
The results will not only decide who writes the nation's laws through 2028. They will also signal how much influence Trump still holds over American voters [261247].