An analysis of Donald Trump's foreign policy highlights his pursuit of international recognition and control over global resources. Trump has long expressed a desire to have his likeness carved into Mount Rushmore, alongside Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Discussions with former Governor Kristi Noem and current Governor Larry Rhoden of South Dakota indicated that officials stated it was physically impossible to add a fifth statue. Instead, Trump has focused on obtaining the Nobel Peace Prize, reportedly influenced by John Bolton, who suggested this was the origin of his obsession. Following the Abraham Accords, Trump publicly mentioned his desire for the prize, which he felt was unjustly awarded to Barack Obama in 2009. After his re-election on January 7, Trump held a press conference where he criticized Canada, expressed intentions to reclaim the Panama Canal, and discussed plans to annex Greenland. His primary goal, however, was securing the Nobel Peace Prize. Over eight months, Trump engaged in various diplomatic initiatives, including peace plans between Israel and Hamas, ceasefires following conflicts, and agreements between countries such as Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Thailand and Cambodia, and Serbia and Kosovo. He claimed to have resolved eight conflicts in eight months. On October 10, 2025, two days after announcing a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Maria Corina Machado. This decision reportedly caused Trump to abandon his pursuit of the prize and shift focus to military actions, particularly in Venezuela. On January 3, 2026, the U.S. military launched "Operation Absolute Resolve," involving 150 combat aircraft, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Despite Machado's efforts to establish a democratic government, Trump's focus shifted toward securing oil resources. Trump's foreign policy emphasized control over fossil fuels and raw materials, aligning with the imperialist strategies of 19th-century presidents. He pushed Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia to increase oil production to lower prices and conducted drone attacks on Russian refineries. After an Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin in August 2025, oil prices stabilized but rose again with increased rhetoric against the Maduro regime. Prices dropped after Maduro's capture but rose again following a U.S.-Israel strike on Iran in February 2026, aiming to secure Iranian oil. The strike led to a new drop in prices after a protocol agreement between the U.S. and Iran was announced on June 15, 2026. In an effort to secure oil resources, Trump announced the acquisition of 66 billion barrels in the Orinoco basin, though the feasibility of this claim was questionable due to high extraction costs and the need for oil dilution. The announcement had limited impact on oil prices, signaling market skepticism. Trump also requested Zelenski to halt attacks on diesel refineries due to rising fuel prices, which affected inflation and interest rates. Domestically, Trump faces challenges with the mid-term elections on November 3, where Democrats are favored to gain a majority in the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. Trump has implemented measures to discourage Democratic voters, including redistricting and limiting mail-in voting, but some of his directives were invalidated by the Supreme Court. Gasoline prices have historically influenced election outcomes, with high prices often leading to the defeat of the incumbent president. Trump's policies have contributed to rising fuel prices, which could impact his re-election chances. Trump's popularity rating has declined from 47% at his inauguration to around 33 to 38% by the time of the mid-term elections. If Democrats gain control of both chambers, Trump's political situation could become precarious, potentially leading to a third impeachment. His focus on oil and military actions may have inadvertently contributed to his political challenges, with the outcome of the mid-term elections largely dependent on the continued impact of his policies on gasoline prices and public sentiment.