Shell Banks Nearly $7 Billion in Profits While Americans Suffer Record Gas Prices

As Americans face the brutal choice between filling their gas tanks and keeping the lights on, Big Oil is laughing all the way to the bank. Shell just reported a staggering $6.9 billion in quarterly profits, a 112 percent jump since late 2025—before Trump’s reckless war with Iran sent shockwaves through the global oil market.

This isn’t a coincidence. In 2024, Trump held a secretive meeting at Mar-a-Lago with his ultra-wealthy Big Oil donors, dangling a billion-dollar campaign donation deal. Now, thanks to what’s being called the “Trump Oil Shock,” the oil industry is expected to pocket a $60 billion windfall, making over $30 million every hour in the first month of the conflict alone.

The consequences for working families are dire. Gas prices have smashed records across the country, topping $4 per gallon in many states. The average household faces an extra $740 in gas expenses this year. According to a recent CBS News poll, 51 percent of Americans say these prices are causing serious financial hardship.

Climate Power Communications Director Alex Glass sums it up: “In Trump’s economy, gas prices are soaring, groceries are more expensive, utility costs are through the roof, and summer travel is off the table. But while Americans struggle to make ends meet, Big Oil is cashing in on the pain. Shell’s profits have skyrocketed since before the war, adding billions to their bottom line thanks to Trump. Trump promised to lower costs — instead, he is hiking prices for working families while his ultra-wealthy pals get even richer.”

The numbers tell the story of a rigged system where Trump’s administration prioritizes corporate profits over the American people. The oil and gas industry has poured $75 million into Trump’s election efforts, and now Americans are paying the steep price—not just at the pump but across their entire budgets.

This is pay-to-play corruption in action. While ordinary Americans tighten their belts, Trump’s Big Oil cronies are reaping massive, unearned profits. It’s a stark reminder that under Trump, accountability and fairness are nowhere to be found—only greed and exploitation.