Social Media Provocation: Donald Trump Declares Himself ‘Acting President of Venezuela’

Donald Trump has posted a digitally altered image on Truth Social that labels Trump as "Acting President of Venezuela," extending the political drama around United States actions in the Latin American country after the removal and detention of Nicolas Maduro earlier this month.

The graphic shows Trump’s official portrait placed on what looks like a Wikipedia entry, with the caption "Acting President of Venezuela, Incumbent January 2026." The mock page also identifies Trump as the 45th and 47th President of the United States, stating that Trump returns to office on January 20, 2025.

Donald Trump's Venezuela leadership claims and official roles

Earlier in the month, the United States carried out a large-scale operation against Venezuela, during which authorities detained Nicolas Maduro. Maduro and spouse Cilia Flores were transported to New York, where prosecutors charged both with conspiracy linked to narco-terrorism in United States courts.

Donald Trump Controlled Venezuela's interim government

Following Maduro’s removal, Venezuela’s vice president and oil minister Delcy Rodriguez took the oath as interim president. Trump has said the US would "run Venezuela" for now, until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" is ensured, arguing that Washington must prevent control passing to anyone seen as hostile to Venezuelan citizens’ interests.

Trump has also outlined an energy plan involving the temporary authorities. Trump said the interim government in Caracas will transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of "high-quality, sanctioned oil" to the United States, where it will be sold at market rates rather than at discounted prices.

"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! I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan immediately. It will be taken by storage ships and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States."

Together, the social media post, the detention of Maduro, the swearing-in of Delcy Rodriguez and the oil export scheme highlight how Washington is asserting direct influence over Venezuela’s leadership and resources, while Trump publicly positions Trump at the centre of both political and economic decisions.