Former President Trump asked the oil industry executive for $1 billion in campaign contributions, according to people familiar with the meeting.
President Trump met with oil company executives at Mar-a-Lago last month. He has requested $1 billion for his campaign, the Washington Post and New York Times previously reported.
The Post reported that President Trump said the donations would be a “deal” for oil company executives as they implement tax cuts and deregulation, but officials who spoke to The Hill denied this discussion. said there was no framework for any kind of quid pro quo. .
Another person who was not present but who spoke with those in attendance also confirmed that Mr. Trump had solicited donations. Mr. Trump had previously scolded oil company executives for not lining his own campaign's pockets enough, the person said.
In response to questions, Trump campaign spokeswoman Caroline Levitt would not confirm or deny that Trump had asked for $1 billion.
“Joe Biden is running the most radical energy policy in history and is controlled by environmental extremists who want to force Americans to buy electric vehicles they can't afford,” Levitt said in a written statement. .
“President Trump is supported by those who share his vision of American energy dominance to protect national security and lower the cost of living for all Americans,” she added.
The April event was hosted by oil magnate Harold Hamm.
A spokesperson for the Biden campaign accused President Trump of “selling out working families to big oil for campaign funds.”
“Mr. Trump is not fighting for what's best for American families, cheaper energy, climate, etc. All he cares about is selling out working families to special interests.” .
Trump has frequently cited soaring energy and gasoline prices in his campaign speeches, attacking President Biden over inflation and blaming Biden's policies for rising costs.
“We're going to end this war on American energy. We're going to keep training,” President Trump said at a Wisconsin rally last week. “We reduce your energy costs. We reduce your energy costs by an incredible amount.”
President Trump also vowed to reverse the Biden administration's climate policies, particularly those aimed at pushing electric vehicles over gasoline-powered ones and suspending approvals for new infrastructure to export liquefied natural gas.
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