The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has launched an investigation into a series of highly suspicious oil trades executed shortly before major public statements by Donald Trump.
According to reports, approximately $950 million was positioned on declining oil prices on April 7, 2026—just hours before Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran. The announcement triggered a sharp market reaction, sending oil prices down by nearly 15% within a short period.
A similar incident was recorded on March 23, 2026, when more than $500 million in crude oil futures were traded roughly 15 minutes before a social media post from Trump signaling potential de-escalation. These trades reportedly turned profitable almost immediately following the announcement.
The timing and scale of these positions have raised concerns about possible access to non-public, market-moving information, prompting regulatory scrutiny.
In response to the situation, the White House is said to have issued an internal communication warning staff against the misuse of confidential information for financial trading purposes.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining whether any laws were violated and if insider activity played a role in the trades.