Newsom Mocks Trump as Putin's 'Pup' Over Russian Oil Sanctions Lift
California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a sharp political attack on President Donald Trump, trolling him as Russian President Vladimir Putin's "pup" after the United States lifted sanctions on Russian oil during the ongoing Iran war. This provocative move comes as global oil prices have surged back to $100 a barrel, creating economic turbulence and geopolitical tension.
Sanctions Lifted Amid Oil Price Surge
The Treasury Department announced on Thursday that it would allow countries to purchase Russian oil that is "currently stranded at sea," marking a significant policy shift. This decision follows nearly two weeks of US and Israeli strikes against Iran, which have driven oil prices upward since the conflict began. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the move on social media platform X, stating that Trump is "taking decisive steps to promote stability in global energy markets and working to keep prices low as we address the threat and instability posed by the terrorist Iranian regime."
Bessent emphasized that this "short-term measure...will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government," attempting to downplay concerns about bolstering Moscow's economy. However, the announcement has sparked immediate backlash from political opponents, including Governor Newsom.
AI-Generated Image Sparks Controversy
In response to the Treasury Department's announcement, Newsom's press office shared an AI-generated image that quickly went viral. The image depicts Putin walking Trump like a dog, with Trump lying on his stomach with a leash attached that Putin is holding. This visual jab represents Newsom's latest effort to criticize the Trump administration's agenda through online mockery, a strategy that has recently boosted his political prominence.
Newsom has been increasingly vocal in his criticism of Trump, particularly regarding foreign policy decisions. During a recent exchange about cognitive fitness, Newsom called Trump a "brain-dead moron who bombs children," seemingly referencing the February 28 strike on a girls' school in Iran that reportedly killed approximately 175 people, most of whom were children. A preliminary Pentagon report found the US responsible for this unintentional bombing, according to sources familiar with the findings.
Oil Market Volatility and Strategic Responses
The Iran war has created significant uncertainty in global oil markets, with prices jumping to nearly $120 a barrel on Monday before settling around $100 on Thursday. Much of this volatility stems from actions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Middle Eastern waterway that carries approximately one-fifth of the world's oil. Iran has effectively closed the strait, threatening to attack any ships attempting passage.
In response to these challenges, the Trump administration has implemented several measures beyond lifting Russian oil sanctions. The US has already permitted India to purchase Russian oil until April 4 and announced plans to tap into domestic oil reserves to curb rising gasoline prices. Energy Secretary Chris Wright revealed on Wednesday that the US will release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve starting next week.
Military Escorts and Ongoing Conflict
As the Iran war continues with no clear end date, the US is taking steps to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The military announced on Tuesday that it had destroyed mine-laying ships near the strait following reports that Iran was planning to deploy mines in the waterway. Treasury Secretary Bessent further elaborated on potential security measures during an interview with Sky News on Thursday.
"There are, in fact, tankers coming through now, Iranian tankers, I believe some Chinese flag tankers have come through. So we know that they have not mined the straits," Bessent stated. He suggested that the US Navy or possibly an international coalition could escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict, highlighting the complex logistical and diplomatic challenges facing global energy security.
The combination of lifted sanctions, military actions, and political theatrics underscores the high-stakes nature of current US foreign policy decisions, with economic, environmental, and geopolitical implications reverberating across international markets and diplomatic relations.
