Trump reportedly thinks 'we're idiots' if we don't take Iraq's oil as repayment for the war


President Trump has long suggested the United States take Iraq's oil as a sort of involuntary thank-you gift for our generous willingness to invade and establish a long-term military occupation. "You heard me, I would take the oil," he told The Wall Street Journal back in 2011. "You're not stealing anything. We're reimbursing ourselves."
Since taking office, Axios reported Sunday, Trump has not dropped the idea. He has reportedly mentioned it twice in meetings with Iraq's prime minister, much to the dismay of his top defense and national security advisers.
"It was a very run-of-the-mill, low-key meeting in general," an unnamed source told Axios of a March 2017 conversation with Iraq's then-prime minister, Haider al-Abadi. "And then right at the end, Trump says something to the effect of, he gets a little smirk on his face, and he says, 'So what are we going to do about the oil?'" Later that year, Trump reportedly raised the issue again in a call with al-Abadi.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Defense Secretary James Mattis and former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster both pushed back on Trump's plan, Axios sources said, telling Trump it would be illegal under international law, bad for alliances, and terrible for America's reputation. Trump was unfazed, reportedly declaring "we're idiots" if we don't take the oil.
The Pentagon and National Security Council declined to comment to Axios for the report.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Bonnie Kristian was a deputy editor and acting editor-in-chief of TheWeek.com. She is a columnist at Christianity Today and author of Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community (forthcoming 2022) and A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today (2018). Her writing has also appeared at Time Magazine, CNN, USA Today, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, and The American Conservative, among other outlets.
-
Jack Draper: can Britain's Wimbledon hopeful unseat Carlos Alcaraz?
In the Spotlight 'Volcano of emotion' smashes his racket during defeat in Queen's semi-final but world No.4 shows 'fighting spirit'
-
Crossword: June 23, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
How far would Russia go for Iran?
Today's Big Question US air strikes represent an 'embarrassment, provocation and opportunity' all rolled into one for Vladimir Putin
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
-
Houthi rebels claim Red Sea ship attacks
speed read Iran-backed Yemeni group vows to escalate aggression towards Israel-linked vessels in revenge for Gaza war
-
Israel plans next phase of Gaza war as first hostages released
Speed read After four-day ceasefire 'we will not stop' until destruction of Hamas, says Israel
-
Mob storms Russian airport 'looking for Jews'
Speed Read Plane from Israel surrounded by rioters chanting antisemitic slogans after landing in Russia's Dagestan region
-
Tuberville's military promotions block is upending lives, combat readiness, 3 military branch chiefs say
Speed Read
-
Ukraine's counteroffensive is making incremental gains. Does it matter in the broader war?
Speed Read
-
US commissions first-ever Navy ship in a foreign port
Speed Read
-
British spy chief, Wagner video suggest Prigozhin is alive and freely 'floating around'
Speed Read