Former President Donald Trump met with oil industry executives at Mar-a-Lago last month, where he asked for $1 billion in campaign contributions, according to sources familiar with the meeting. This request, previously reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times, has sparked significant attention.
During the meeting, Trump allegedly told the oil executives that donations to his campaign would be a beneficial “deal” for them, given the tax cuts and relaxed regulations he would implement if re-elected. However, the source who spoke with The Hill clarified that the discussion was not framed as any kind of quid pro quo arrangement. Another source, who was not present but spoke with those who were, also confirmed that Trump requested the $1 billion in donations. This source mentioned that Trump had previously criticized oil executives for not contributing enough to his campaign.
Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt neither confirmed nor denied whether Trump had asked for $1 billion in campaign funding when contacted for comment. Instead, she stated, “Joe Biden is controlled by environmental extremists who are trying to implement the most radical energy agenda in history and force Americans to purchase electric vehicles they can’t afford.” She added, “President Trump is supported by people who share his vision of American energy dominance to protect our national security and bring down the cost of living for all Americans.”
The April event where this meeting took place was organized by oil magnate Harold Hamm. In response to the reports, a Biden campaign spokesperson accused Trump of “selling out working families to Big Oil for campaign checks.” The spokesperson, Ammar Moussa, said in a statement, “Trump isn’t fighting for what’s best for American families, cheaper energy, or our climate — he only cares about winning this election and will sell out working families to special interests to do it.”
Trump often references high energy and gasoline prices during his campaign speeches, criticizing President Biden for inflation and blaming Biden’s policies for the increased costs. At a rally in Wisconsin last week, Trump stated, “We’re going to end this war on American energy. We’re going to drill, baby, drill. We’re going to bring down your energy costs like you wouldn’t believe.”
Trump has also pledged to reverse the Biden administration’s climate policies, especially those supporting electric vehicles over gas-powered cars and pausing approvals for new infrastructure for exporting liquefied natural gas.
Source: https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4654557-trump-big-oil-1b-campaign-cash-request/
