Former President Trump asked oil industry executives for $1 billion in campaign money, according to someone with knowledge of the meeting.
Trump met with oil executives at Mar-A-Lago last month. His request for $1 billion for his campaign was previously reported by The Washington Post It is The New York Times.
The Post reported that Trump said the donations would be a “deal” for oil executives because of the tax cuts and relaxed regulations he would implement, but the person who spoke to The Hill said the discussion was not framed as any type of consideration. .
A second source, who was not present but spoke to people who were, also confirmed that Trump made the request for donations. The source said Trump had previously reprimanded oil executives for not opening their pockets enough for his campaign.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt would neither confirm nor deny that Trump had requested $1 billion when asked.
“Joe Biden is controlled by environmental extremists who are trying to implement the most radical energy agenda in history and force Americans to buy electric vehicles they cannot afford,” Leavitt said in a written statement.
“President Trump is supported by people who share his vision of American energy dominance to protect our national security and lower the cost of living for all Americans,” she added.
The April event was organized by oil tycoon Harold Hamm.
A Biden campaign spokesperson accused Trump of “selling out working families to Big Oil for campaign checks.”
“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 so,” the spokesperson said. from Biden campaign Ammar Moussa in a statement. .
Trump, in campaign speeches, frequently cites high energy and gasoline prices to attack President Biden over inflation and to blame Biden’s policies for rising costs.
“We will end this war on American energy. Let’s drill, baby, drill,” Trump said last week at a rally in Wisconsin. “We will reduce your energy costs. We’ll cut your energy costs like you wouldn’t believe.”
Trump also promised to reverse the Biden administration’s climate policies, especially those aimed at bolstering electric vehicles over gas-powered cars, and suspending approvals of new infrastructure for the export of liquefied natural gas.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
