https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/23/white-house-ban-diesel-01089294
‘Dammit, something has to happen’: White House preparing plan for 90-day diesel exports ban
But as high energy prices continue to bedevil Republican candidates going into tough midterm elections in less than seven weeks, Trump is inclined to announce a ban by the end of the week and consider any blowback “a December problem,” said one oil industry executive who has discussed the ban with senior White House officials.
“What has overpowered cooler heads [in the White House] is the absolutely, sky-is-falling, we-have-to-do-something concern about prices at the pump” faction, said this person, who was granted anonymity to discuss conversations with White House officials. “That camp has been swept aside by the political camp, which says, ‘dammit, something has to happen.’”
White House and Energy Department spokespeople did not immediately address specific questions.
“This is another fake news news story from Politico,” a White House official said
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Wright made a round of calls to energy CEOs on Tuesday night telling them a 90-day ban was likely to happen in the coming days, according to a Trump energy adviser, speaking on background to avoid repercussions. A number of CEOs immediately began calling the White House to push back on the ban, the adviser said, cautioning that “there’s a lot of swirl so it might change.”
“It’s a terrible idea,” the adviser said.
Another industry official said it could come down to the “last person in the room” with Trump when he makes the decision.
An external adviser to the administration said they had received “a bunch of frantic outreach” in recent days searching for alternatives to a ban. They worried the administration would repeatedly extend a ban and establish precedent for government intervention in energy markets — a playbook Democrats could use as well.
“It’s clear that there is a lot of internal opposition to it,” the person said.