“Psychopaths are social predators, and like all predators, they are looking for feeding grounds. Wherever you get power, prestige and money, you will find them.” - Robert D. Hare

Houston Chronicle: Why Trump allegedly asked Big Oil for $1 billion when he’s offered them everything
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Another $6.4 million has gone through a joint fundraising committee called Trump 47, according to an analysis by the strategic communications group Climate Power. Of the 30 oil and gas industry executives, investors and allies who donated, none donated less than $100,000.

Trump 47 sends a portion of the money to Trump’s legal defense fund, the Save America PAC. It has paid for 70 different lawyers, spending $8.5 million over the first three months of 2024. Last year, Save America spent $47 million on Trump’s legal fees.

Texas billionaire Kelcy Warren, CEO of pipeline operator Energy Transfer Partners, maxed out his contribution at $814,600 to Trump 47. Meanwhile, Continental Resources CEO Harold Hamm not only donated to Trump 47 but helped the former president cover a $175 million bond to appeal a civil fraud suit he lost.

Warren and Hamm are also hosting another fundraiser for Trump to meet oil executives in Dallas next week.

So far, the totals are nowhere near the amounts raised during the 2020 election cycle, when oil and gas groups gave Trump $14.91 million, compared to $1.76 million for Biden.

While most fossil fuel executives hate Biden’s policies and some are enthusiastic Trump supporters, there is reason to question Trump’s request. Many of these companies are taking advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act’s many tax breaks and grants, allowing them to transition to clean energy.

Consulting firm Wood Mackenzie calculated a Trump victory would cut government energy investments by $1 trillion. U.S. companies would fall behind foreign competitors in developing new technology, a high price for delaying inevitable emissions reductions by only five years.
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