President Donald Trump said the United States could get Venezuela’s oil industry back on track in less than 18 months, but that rebuilding the heavily degraded infrastructure would require significant investment. 
Trump said “very large” American oil companies would invest billions of dollars to repair the country’s oil fields, adding in a Monday interview with NBC News that the U.S. government could reimburse companies. He said the process could be completed in less than a year and a half. 
&#8220;I think we can do it in less time than that, but it&#8217;ll be a lot of money,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-us-not-war-venezuela-rcna252427">said</a>. &#8220;A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent and the oil companies will spend it, and then they’ll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.&#8221;
After announcing the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, Trump said the country&#8217;s oil industry had been a “bust,” producing only a fraction of its potential output. 
Trump has not specified which oil companies would invest, but said he has spoken to several that are interested. He said that restoring oil production in Venezuela would benefit Americans by lowering energy costs. 
While Venezuelan oil production once reached 3.5 million barrels per day, it drastically <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/01/06/world-news/venezuelas-oil-industry-is-in-shambles-after-decades-of-socialism/">declined </a>in 2007 after the industry was nationalized under former Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. It is estimated that Venezuela’s oil reserves account for about 17% of the world’s supply, according to the New York Post. 
In the same interview with NBC, Trump said that there likely wouldn’t be an election in Venezuela in the next month. 
&#8220;We have to fix the country first. You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote,&#8221; he said. &#8220;No, it’s going to take a period of time. We have to nurse the country back to health.&#8221;
Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and Vice President JD Vance would oversee his administration&#8217;s involvement in Venezuela.
Trump and senior administration officials said the United States is not at war with Venezuela.
&#8220;No, we’re not,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;We’re at war with people that sell drugs. We’re at war with people that empty their prisons into our country and empty their drug addicts and empty their mental institutions into our country.&#8221;

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Trump Predicts Quick, But Expensive Venezuela Oil Rebuild: ‘We Have To Nurse The Country Back’

American Journalist Caught In FBI Sting Admits Working For China

YouTube Star Ends Life Of Unborn Child After Down Syndrome Diagnosis

SEE IT: Memorial To Tiananmen Square Victims Vandalized Ahead Of Anniversary

New York Times Responds After Platner Abuse Accuser Rips Outlet For ‘Twisted’ Story

Chris Murphy Admits To Funding Street Protesters, Tells Activists 2028 Election Might Not Happen

At James Talarico’s Church, Its Offensive To Respect God’s Pronouns — But Abortion’s OK.

News

Donald Trump

Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

Trump Predicts Quick, But Expensive Venezuela Oil Rebuild: ‘We Have To Nurse The Country Back’