In a shocking new report, it has been revealed that Donald Trump approached leading US oil executives with a bold proposition. He offered a deal where they would contribute $1 billion to his re-election campaign in exchange for his promise to dismantle Joe Biden’s environmental regulations and prevent any future ones. Trump’s audacious offer demonstrates his unwavering commitment to prioritize the interests of the oil industry.
According to the Washington Post, the former US president made a remarkably blunt and transactional pitch at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago home and club.
In a room filled with over 20 executives, including representatives from Chevron, Exxon, and Occidental Petroleum, he made a pledge to enhance oil drilling activities in the Gulf of Mexico, eliminate obstacles to drilling in the Alaskan Arctic, and reverse recently implemented regulations aimed at reducing car pollution. Additionally, he vowed to overturn the decision made by the Biden administration in January to suspend new permits for natural gas exports, which have been criticized as potential contributors to climate change.
According to an unnamed dinner attendee, Trump confidently stated, “You’ll get it on the first day,” as reported by the Post.
Environmental groups quickly condemned Trump’s call to oil executives, where he urged them to contribute $1bn to his campaign while promising to reverse Biden’s climate crisis initiatives.
Pete Maysmith, from the League of Conservation Voters (LCV), expressed concern over the allocation of $1bn for Trump, stating that it could result in a bleak climate future for everyone else.
According to Christina Polizzi from Climate Power, Trump is endangering the future of the planet by putting it up for sale.
“He has been accused of being influenced by big oil as he granted them a substantial $25 billion in tax breaks during his initial term. Now, it is evident that he is willing to cater to all of big oil’s desires if he were to secure a second term.”
According to the Washington Post, the former president’s conversation with fossil fuel giants has raised concerns among groups that monitor the influence of money in politics. Jordan Libowitz from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics (Crew), a non-partisan government watchdog, stated that the reported exchange “certainly looks a lot like quid pro quo.”
According to Libowitz, he described the encounter as one of the most blatant instances he has ever witnessed. He pointed out that while politicians often imply their intentions, they rarely explicitly state that they will eliminate regulations in exchange for raising a billion dollars.
According to him, Crew’s legal team is currently examining whether this qualifies as a serious case of bribery.
Trump has long been known for his close ties to the oil industry and his opposition to federal regulations aimed at reducing emissions that contribute to the climate crisis. As the presidential election approaches in six months, however, he is intensifying his efforts to secure campaign contributions from this sector.
Despite facing numerous legal challenges, including an ongoing trial in New York over an alleged hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels, Trump continues to maintain a strong position in the polls. With the Republican nomination almost secured, he consistently edges out Joe Biden in presidential race surveys. What’s more, Trump’s popularity extends to crucial swing states, which greatly impact a candidate’s chances of winning.
Executives in major oil companies are actively getting ready for a potential second term for President Trump. They have been working on drafting executive orders that can be swiftly signed as soon as he resumes office. According to a report by Politico, these executives have collaborated to create pre-designed policies focused on boosting natural gas exports, intensifying drilling activities, and extending offshore oil leases.
The relationship between Trump and the oil giants during the approaching election highlights the stark contrast between the former president and the current occupant of the White House. A recent analysis conducted by environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and LCV, reveals that the Biden administration has implemented over 300 measures to promote public health and clean energy. This surpasses any other administration in the history of the United States.
The Inflation Reduction Act, being the first major climate legislation, has effectively driven significant investment in clean energy, particularly in solar and wind, and has also led to a surge in sales of electric vehicles. As a result, there has been a gradual decline in US energy emissions, with a decrease of approximately 3% observed this year.
The United States is currently extracting record amounts of oil and gas, producing nearly 13 million barrels of crude oil per day. This level of production is more than double what it was just ten years ago.
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