Says U.S. troops staying in Syria 'only for the oil,' insists 'I like oil'

After initially announcing a withdrawal from Syria, Trump reversed course and ordered troops to remain specifically to control northeastern Syrian oil fields. At a press conference, he stated: 'We did leave soldiers because we're keeping the oil. I like oil. We're keeping the oil.' Trump framed potential oil revenue as 'reimbursement' for U.S. military involvement, contradicting Pentagon statements that troops were there to prevent ISIS resurgence. The Syrian government accused the U.S. of 'stealing' their oil. A controversial deal was later struck between a U.S. oil company, Delta Crescent Energy, and Kurdish forces to develop the oil fields.

"We did leave soldiers because we're keeping the oil. I like oil. We're keeping the oil."