Greg Gutfeld defends Trump’s remarks on Venezuelan oil, says ‘it was our oil’

WASHINGTON, DC: Fox News host Greg Gutfeld praised President Donald Trump’s foreign policy as a pragmatic, 'America First' approach that avoids both endless wars and isolationist inaction.

The segment also included co‑hosts discussing Democratic criticism of Trump’s recent military operation in Venezuela. US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a strike that has drawn sharp rebukes from Democratic lawmakers. Some Democrats say the operation lacked legal authorization and could escalate conflict abroad.

Greg Gutfeld says, 'You can’t put Trump in a box'

During a recent appearance on Fox News’ 'The Five,' Greg Gutfeld said, "Trump's not into forever wars, but he's also not into hibernation. He's just got one filter, and that is America First. And if you're going to pick any filter, it's not a bad one to have!"

He said, "There are no boxes for him. That's kind of a good thing. I mean, to be a neocon, you have to be for exporting democracy no matter what."

Gutfeld argued, "To be an isolationist, you have to be against doing anything but just staying home and keeping your eyes closed. But he is like, you can't put him in a box, and that forces you to look at every independent action outside of some high-minded principle."

Gutfeld added, "It's like, is this thing good for America? Does it allow for a clean exit? When he says, 'we're taking the oil, we can go,' wow, that's kind of brash. Yeah, but it's honest, and is that good for America? Well, yeah, it was our oil!"

He concluded by saying Trump views ideology as restrictive and prefers flexibility. "I think that Trump has always looked at ideology as narrowing choices, and he doesn't like narrow choices! He zigs and he zags. The principle is America First."

What did Trump say about Venezuelan oil?

On Monday, January 5, Trump told NBC News, “I think we can do it in less time than that, but it’ll be a lot of money. 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."

He also said he expects the US oil industry to be 'up and running' in Venezuela within 18 months and that large investments will flow into the country’s energy sector.

POTUS also added that 'having a Venezuela that's an oil producer is good for the United States because it keeps the price of oil down.'

Trump shared, “The oil companies were absolutely aware that we were thinking about doing something. But we didn’t tell them we were going to do it.”

Trump wrote on his social media platform that the oil will be sold at market price and that he, as president, will control the money to make sure the proceeds benefit both the people of Venezuela and the United States.

Trump said Venezuela will turn over as many as 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States.

Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday, January 6, "I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America. This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!"