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Trump Courts Big Oil CEOs for $1 Billion While Houstonians Reel in the Aftermath of Severe Storms

Trump’s latest stop on his Big Oil pledge drives comes after his kickoff in Florida where he asked a room full of Big Oil CEOs for $1 billion in donations and also promised them their wishlist, which would give them $110 billion in tax breaks.
May 22, 2024

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HOUSTON – Donald Trump is coming to town to attend a fundraiser with Big Oil executives, hosted by Texas billionaire Kelcy Warren, Chairman of pipeline operator Energy Transfer Partners, and Continental Resources Chairman Harold Hamm. Hamm was the organizer behind an April fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago where Trump promised Big Oil a “deal,” asking them for $1 billion in donations, and promising that as soon as he returns to the White House, he would immediately deliver on their wish list, including massive tax breaks and free rein to pollute our air and water. 

Trump’s fundraiser comes in the direct aftermath of severe storms in Houston, which caused extensive flooding, power outages in nearly one million homes and businesses, school and government closures, and at least four deaths. While Texas families deal with these devastating health and economic impacts and face the prospect of more severe storms and increasingly extreme heat, Trump and Big Oil continue to turn a blind eye to the implications of the climate disasters they’ve caused.

“When Texans were plunged into the cold and the dark during Winter Storm Uri, oil and gas companies like Energy Transfer made billions off their suffering. You are the company you keep, so it’s no surprise to see Donald Trump trade Texans’ futures for campaign cash, just like Ted Cruz before him,” said State Representative Ron Reynolds. “A visit from Trump is the last thing our community needs as we recover from last week’s devastating storms. Trump is not coming to Texas to help rebuild our community, mourn our dead, or stand with us in our moment of need. Kids in Houston classrooms may not have air conditioning, but you can bet there will be chilled champagne at the fundraiser.”

Trump and Ted Cruz are far from the only Texas Republicans in the pocket of Big Oil: Sen. John Cornyn has taken $5,011,498  in contributions from the oil and gas industry, exceeding Sen. Cruz’s $4,881,748. In the House of Representatives, 25 Texas GOP Representatives have taken contributions over the course of their career. The top seven highest are: 

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