---
title: "Trump attacks oil firms and US Attorney in speech as poll rating hits low"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-attacks-oil-firms-and-us-attorney-in-speech-as-poll-rating-hits-low"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-attacks-oil-firms-and-us-attorney-in-speech-as-poll-rating-hits-low"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-attacks-oil-firms-and-us-attorney-in-speech-as-poll-rating-hits-low.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-attacks-oil-firms-and-us-attorney-in-speech-as-poll-rating-hits-low"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-08-04T13:46:03.955Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-04T13:20:54.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-05T21:45:42.006Z"
trust_score: 65
critic_score: 55
hype_score: 35
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-06T15:14:53.003Z"
---

# Trump attacks oil firms and US Attorney in speech as poll rating hits low

*Republican senators demand written confirmation of $1.8bn Justice Department fund’s abolition after Trump ally’s appointment*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 65 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports corroborate key facts; digests agree on central claim.
- Craft 55 of 100, higher is better. Quotes and right of reply present in full reports; digests lack depth.
- Hype 35 of 100, lower is better. Headlines overstate collapse of claims; body tempers language.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Donald Trump accused oil companies of exploiting his Iran policy to inflate profits during a Monday speech in the Oval Office.
- He claimed US Attorney Jeanine Pirou altered court documents to undermine a Lincoln Memorial restoration project he championed.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche abolished a $1.8bn Justice Department fund, a move Republican senators demanded in writing.
- Trump’s approval rating dropped to about one-third in a CNN/SSRS poll, the lowest since the January 2021 Capitol riot.

Donald Trump used a Monday speech in the Oval Office to attack oil companies and the US Attorney for Washington, DC. Dnevni list Danas reported he accused oil executives of profiteering from his Iran policy, singling out Chevron and warning it to lower gasoline prices. Trump also claimed US Attorney Jeanine Pirou, whom he appointed, altered court filings to undermine a Lincoln Memorial restoration project he had personally overseen.

The speech followed the confirmation of Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal lawyer, as acting attorney general. Dnevni list Danas wrote that Blanche permanently abolished a $1.8 billion Justice Department fund, which Trump had described as a way to compensate political allies. Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis demanded written confirmation of the fund’s abolition, as reported by Dnevni list Danas.

Trump’s approval rating fell to about one-third in a CNN/SSRS poll published last week, according to Dnevni list Danas. The outlet noted this matched the low point of his first term, reached after the January 2021 Capitol riot. The poll identified economic policy and the Iran war as the primary drags on his popularity.

## What the coverage left out

No centre- or right-rated outlet ran this story at all. None of the reports below mention the specific legal mechanism by which the $1.8bn fund could theoretically be reactivated, as described by CNN analyst Eli Honig. The left-rated report did not include a response from Jeanine Pirou or Chevron to Trump’s accusations.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 47 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 66% (31)
- Centre: 30% (14)
- Right: 4% (2)

4 of 51 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-06T15:14:53.003Z.

**Coverage watch:** closed. Checked 20 times; 4 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-10T02:30:32.413Z. Watch closed 2026-08-10T02:30:32.413Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Dnevni list Danas led on Trump’s attacks on oil companies and the US Attorney, framing them as signs of a presidency losing momentum. The report quoted Trump’s accusation that oil executives were "making too much money" from his Iran policy and his warning to Chevron to lower gasoline prices. It described his claim that Pirou had "choked" by altering court filings on the Lincoln Memorial project as an attempt to distance himself from a narrative he had publicly promoted.
- The outlet highlighted the $1.8bn Justice Department fund’s abolition, calling it a "hidden loss" for Trump despite Blanche’s confirmation. It quoted CNN legal analyst Eli Honig saying the written abolition demanded by senators "legally achieves almost nothing". The report also noted Republican senators’ resistance to Trump’s voting restrictions bill and Senator Susan Collins’ move to block a rule expanding political appointees’ control over federal grants.
- Dnevni list Danas used Trump’s own words to describe Pirou, quoting him calling her a "longtime ally" who had "folded like an umbrella". It contrasted his portrayal of the Iran war as a short-term strategy to control oil markets with the reality of prolonged supply disruptions and closed shipping routes. The report framed his approval rating drop as tied to economic policy and the Iran conflict, citing the CNN/SSRS poll.

### Centre

- The three centre-rated outlets led on the U.S. Attorney’s decision to drop charges against four people accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. All three carried the Justice Department’s statement that the damage was caused by a contractor’s botched installation, not vandalism.
- CBS News and Fact Check included President Trump’s insistence that the pool was vandalised, along with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s claim that evidence of vandalism was provided to the U.S. Attorney’s office. The Staten Island Advance did not mention these claims. CBS News alone quoted Trump calling the decision to drop charges a mistake and Pirro’s handling of the case a choke.
- CBS News reported statements from defence lawyers for three of the accused, describing the charges as fabricated and politically motivated. Neither Fact Check nor the Staten Island Advance included these statements or named the defendants.

### Right

- The two right-rated digests led on acts of vandalism at the Reflecting Pool in Washington. Both reported that chemicals were used to damage newly replaced grass. Neither mentioned the poll rating or the attack on oil firms that appeared in other coverage.
- Il Tempo’s digest quoted Donald Trump directly, calling the damage deliberate and describing the substance as powerful. It included his refusal to name the chemical or the phrase written on the lawn. WPBN’s digest did not carry Trump’s remarks or the detail that the lawn had recently been replaced.
- Neither digest referred to the US Attorney or the broader political context of the speech. The dropped charges against three accused vandals, reported by WPBN, were not mentioned in Il Tempo’s account.

**Settled coverage blindspot:** right. This finding was made after the coverage watch closed.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- low: 2
- mixed: 3
- high: 26
- unknown: 5
- veryHigh: 15

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [SooLeader.com](https://sooleader.com/michigan-news-ap/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized-12631056) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Watauga Democrat](https://wataugademocrat.com/ap/washington/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_87ce8e32-f063-5f84-9b6f-84150b20dbb1.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Kokomo Tribune](https://kokomotribune.com/news/nation_world_news/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_4da8debb-5be2-5d88-b65b-360d072c007f.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [The Avery Journal-Times](https://averyjournal.com/ap/washington/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_e76bd1a5-b56e-5460-83c2-a99ccc9b1bb8.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [KITV4 News](https://kitv.com/news/politics/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_d49651bc-2b19-5212-9a9a-e34212714cdf.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Sentinel Colorado](https://sentinelcolorado.com/nation-world/nation/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Greater Milwaukee Today](https://gmtoday.com/news/national/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_ea2e7ca4-3094-5ae7-8df2-2793135f56c2.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Denver Post](https://denverpost.com/2026/08/05/trump-pirro-reflecting-pool-false-claims) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Orlando Sentinel](https://orlandosentinel.com/2026/08/05/trump-pirro-reflecting-pool-false-claims) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/08/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_b47a3b9d-929d-5b46-9022-2550c2fb9d18.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [City News](https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/08/05/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [The Sun Chronicle](https://thesunchronicle.com/news/nation_world/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_f85659d9-fba2-5cc5-aa99-c690022e77e8.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/trump-pirro-reflecting-pool-3703eaedddf580f32ff9aca33bc11851) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Mid Florida Newspapers](https://midfloridanewspapers.com/ap/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_d0fc09f3-5bd0-50b1-b90f-ff8ee7a15b8c.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [El Paso Inc.](https://elpasoinc.com/news/ap_wire/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_fbcbdc52-6dbf-54c2-aeff-6d4ba9a0d5fe.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [coasttv.com](https://coasttv.com/news/national/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_e17e79d5-13fc-56bc-898c-c1cbc0f91d28.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/08/05/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/08/05/nation/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [La Libre](https://lalibre.be/international/amerique/2026/08/05/comment-le-bassin-reflechissant-de-washington-est-devenu-le-miroir-des-dysfonctionnements-de-ladministration-trump-S7BPMI2YURDANIN74TTKPA6LXA) — How Washington's Reflective Basin Has Become the Mirror of Trump Administration's Malfunctions
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_22fec43f-3dab-553a-8b02-ac4b6b93b43c.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_10061e89-2f8a-5070-9478-b889c6f27c76.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [St Catharines Standard](https://stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/world/united-states/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized/article_0edf1bd8-1545-58fe-b9de-1bca32af8bce.html) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/08/05/no-evidence-no-problem-trump-pushes-ahead-on-false-claims-that-reflecting-pool-was-vandalized) — No evidence? No problem. Trump pushes ahead on false claims that Reflecting Pool was vandalized
- [thepoke.com](https://thepoke.com/2026/08/05/trump-claimed-not-to-know-the-contractor-who-ruined-the-reflecting-pool) — Trump claimed not to know the contractor who ruined the Reflecting Pool, but the internet had kept the awkward receipts
- [Le Huffington Post](https://huffingtonpost.fr/international/video/jeanine-pirro-fidele-de-trump-sur-la-sellette-apres-avoir-ose-le-contredire-sur-le-bassin-de-washington_299946.html) — This Friend of Trump on the Saddle After Daring to Contradict Him on the Washington Basin
- [The New Republic](https://newrepublic.com/article/213987/trump-fury-reflecting-pool-mess-darkens-damning-new-leaks-hit) — Trump’s Fury at Reflecting Pool Mess Darkens as Damning New Leaks Hit
- [Mandatory](https://mandatory.com/news/1823655-donald-trump-reflecting-pool-vandalism-theory) — Donald Trump Won’t Give Up His Reflecting Pool Vandalism Story
- [cascadepbs.org](https://cascadepbs.org/show/newshour/extras/trump-agenda-doj-1785870831) — Pool case shows gap between Trump's claims, court record
- [Alternet](https://alternet.org/trump-hearn) — Exonerated ex-Olympian just put the Trump administration on notice
- [Raw Story](https://rawstory.com/trump-reflecting-pool-2677656759) — Red flags fly as Trump admin accused of racing to destroy evidence from vandalism case
- [Atlanta Black Star](https://atlantablackstar.com/2026/08/04/clearly-insane-trumps-reflecting-pool-story-implodes-after-he-forgets-his-own-script-and-throws-his-handpicked-contractors-under-the-bus) — 'Clearly Insane': Trump's Reflecting Pool Story Implodes After He Forgets His Own Script and Throws His Handpicked Contractors Under the Bus
- [PBS NewsHour](https://pbs.org/newshour/show/reflecting-pool-case-highlights-disconnect-between-trumps-claims-and-court-record) — Reflecting Pool case highlights disconnect between Trump's claims and court record
- [Wonderwall.com](https://wonderwall.com/politics/donald-trump-says-moving-cameras-caught-vandals-knifing-reflecting-pool) — Trump says ‘moving cameras’ caught vandals knifing Reflecting Pool
- [Quotidiano Nazionale](https://quotidiano.net/video/in-vista/trump-atti-vandalici-alla-reflecting-pool-rovinato-il-prato-con-sostanze-chimiche-b3v1i53n) — Trump: Vandalistic Acts to Reflecting Pool Ruined the Lawn with Chemicals
- [Il Tempo](https://iltempo.it/video-news-by-vista/2026/08/04/video/trump-atti-vandalici-alla-reflecting-pool-rovinato-il-prato-con-sostanze-chimiche-48780511) — Trump: Vandalistic Acts to Reflecting Pool Ruined the Lawn with Chemicals
- [News One](https://newsone.com/6868094/trump-reflecting-pool-damage-contractors) — Jeanine Pirro Admits That Contractors Caused Reflecting Pool Damage
- [Baller Alert](https://balleralert.com/reflecting-pool-vandalism-charges-dropped-pirro) — Reflecting Pool Vandalism Charges Dropped Against All Four
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jimmy-fallon-trump-reflecting-pool-charges-dismissed-b3027193.html) — Jimmy Fallon revels in Trump defeat after reflecting pool ‘vandals’ story falls apart
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jimmy-fallon-trump-reflecting-pool-charges-dismissed-b3027193.html) — Jimmy Fallon revels in Trump defeat after reflecting pool ‘vandals’ story falls apart
- [Dnevni list Danas](https://danas.rs/svet/tramp-naftne-kompanije-tuziteljka) — 'They Make a Lot of Money': Trump Attacks Everyone Around Him as Political Defeats Pile Up
- [Wonkette](https://wonkette.com/p/judge-boxwine-slurs-way-through-excuses) — Judge Boxwine Slurs Way Through Excuses About Reflecting Pool Case, May Or May Not Get Sent To The Cornfield
- [emptywheel](https://emptywheel.net/2026/08/04/the-davey-hearn-motion-to-dismiss-also-debunks-trumps-vandalism-claim) — The Davey Hearn Motion to Dismiss ALSO Debunks Trump's Vandalism Claim
- [News.de](https://news.de/politik/859877859/donald-trump-erntet-spott-fuer-geisterbeweis-trump-kann-luegen-zum-reflecting-pool-nicht-mehr-verbergen/1) — Donald Trump: Picant Knife Claim Brings Trump to the Bredouille
- [CNN](https://cnn.com/2026/08/04/politics/donald-trump-reflecting-pool-save-act-losses) — Analysis: Trump lashes out as political losses pile up
- [The Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/03/trump-made-reflecting-pool-test-his-power-it-backfired) — How Trump’s claims of vandalism at the renovated Reflecting Pool crumbled
- [CBS News](https://cbsnews.com/news/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-charges-dropped-pirro) — More Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool charges dropped by Pirro's office
- [Fact Check](https://factcheck.org/2026/08/trumps-continued-claims-of-vandalism-at-reflecting-pool-disputed-by-u-s-attorney-memo) — Trump's Continued Claims of Vandalism at Reflecting Pool Disputed by U.S. Attorney Memo
- [WPBN](https://upnorthlive.com/news/nation-world/reflecting-pool-suspects-charges-dropped-washington-dc-lincoln-memorial-trump-jeanine-pirro-justice-department-olympian-vandalism-damage-sealent-blue-america-250-national-mall) — Charges dropped against 3 others accused of Reflecting Pool vandalism
- [Staten Island Advance](https://silive.com/politics/2026/08/top-gop-senator-roasts-trump-pirro-over-reflecting-pool-multiple-vehicle-pile-up.html) — Top GOP senator roasts Trump, Pirro over Reflecting Pool: ‘Multiple vehicle pile-up’

## Questions

**What did Trump accuse oil companies of doing?**

Dnevni list Danas reported Trump accused oil executives of profiteering from his Iran policy, specifically naming Chevron and warning it to lower gasoline prices. He claimed they were "making too much money" from the conflict, which he had framed as a short-term strategy to control global oil markets.

**Why did Republican senators demand written confirmation of the fund’s abolition?**

Dnevni list Danas wrote that Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis demanded written proof that the $1.8bn Justice Department fund was permanently abolished. The fund, part of a settlement between Trump and the Justice Department, was widely seen as a way to compensate his political allies, and senators wanted to ensure it could not be reactivated.

**How low is Trump’s approval rating?**

Dnevni list Danas reported Trump’s approval rating fell to about one-third in a CNN/SSRS poll, matching the low point of his first term after the January 2021 Capitol riot. The poll identified economic policy and the Iran war as the primary reasons for the decline.

---

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