Katerina Swanson
Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of having close ties to the fossil fuel industry. During the 2024 election cycle, the fossil fuel industry spent a total of $219 million to elect the new US government, with the oil and gas industry contributing about $2 million to Trump's campaign. Trump's administration has also been criticized for its efforts to discourage investment in renewable energy and his support for fossil fuels. There are concerns about the relationship between Trump, his administration, and the fossil fuel industry, with some alleging that they have accepted significant financial contributions in exchange for favorable policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fossil fuel companies' contribution to Trump's inaugural fund | $19 million |
| Fossil fuel companies' contribution to Trump's 2024 election campaign | $2 million |
| Fossil fuel companies' total contribution to Trump's campaign and inauguration | $21 million |
| Fossil fuel companies' contribution to Republicans in the 2024 election | $195 million |
| Fossil fuel companies' contribution to Republicans in the House in the 2024 election | $54.4 million |
| Fossil fuel companies' contribution to Republican senators in the 2024 election | $51.5 million |
| Fossil fuel companies' contribution to vulnerable House Republicans in the 2024 election | $3 million |
| Fossil fuel companies' total spending on the winning candidates in the 2024 election | $26 million |
| Fossil fuel companies' contribution to Trump's campaign and Republicans in the 2024 election | $236 million |
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What You'll Learn
Trump's anti-environment bill
In 2025, Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, which critics have called the "most anti-environment bill in history". The Act includes billions of dollars in giveaways to fossil fuel companies and their executives, and provisions to scale back credits for clean vehicles, wind and solar projects, and renewable energy tax credits. The bill is expected to increase climate pollution, cause more asthma attacks in children, and result in higher utility costs for families.
Trump's administration has been characterised by attacks on environmental rules and funding, with the President attempting to revive the use of coal and boost oil and gas while hindering solar and wind power. Trump's domestic policy bill has curtailed many elements of the Inflation Reduction Act, with the administration attempting to claw back $27 billion in grants for clean energy and efficiency projects.
Trump's anti-environment stance has been linked to his financial ties to the fossil fuel industry. During the 2024 election cycle, the oil and gas industry gave $2 million to Trump's campaign, and the industry poured more than $19 million into his inaugural fund. Republican lawmakers who voted for Trump's anti-environment bill have collectively accepted more than $105 million in political donations from the fossil fuel industry over their political careers, with House members accepting $54.4 million and senators $51.5 million.
The bill has been criticised for prioritising the interests of billionaires over the health and livelihoods of Americans, as well as the fight against climate change. Environmental groups have faced setbacks under Trump, with the President dismantling the country's efforts to address climate change and cutting grants for environmental organisations.
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Fossil fuel industry donations
Fossil fuel companies were not among the major donors to Donald Trump's presidential campaign. However, they did contribute significantly to his inauguration festivities, helping him raise a record-breaking $107 million. Notable fossil fuel companies that donated to Trump's inauguration include Chevron ($525,000), Exxon ($500,000), BP ($500,000), Citgo Petroleum ($500,000), and Murray Energy ($300,000). Additionally, individuals with major investments in the oil, gas, and coal industries also made substantial contributions.
During the 2024 election cycle, the fossil fuel industry spent a total of $219 million to influence the election, with the vast majority of this money going to Republicans. The oil and gas industry contributed about $24 million in campaign donations to members of the U.S. House and Senate, with an additional $2 million going to President-elect Donald Trump's campaign. This brings the total spending on winning candidates to over $26 million, with 88% of it going to Republicans.
Trump's relationship with the fossil fuel industry has raised concerns, particularly with his support for policies that benefit fossil fuel companies while undermining renewable energy initiatives. Republican lawmakers who voted for Trump's anti-environment tax and spending bill, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," have collectively accepted more than $105 million in political donations from the fossil fuel industry. This bill includes billions of dollars in benefits for fossil fuel companies while reducing credits for clean vehicles, wind, and solar energy.
The fossil fuel industry exerts significant financial influence within the United States political system, utilizing various avenues to protect its business interests. This includes contributing to political action committees (PACs), state and national party committees, and super PACs. The industry has also been accused of spreading misinformation and attempting to influence courts to sow doubt in climate science.
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Trump's support for fossil fuels
During Donald Trump's presidency, he received criticism for his support for fossil fuels and his opposition to clean energy initiatives. Trump's administration attempted to oust an official from the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA), which aims to shape global energy policy. The IEA has produced analyses that highlight the need to move away from fossil fuels and embrace wind and solar power, which has rankled Republicans and fossil fuel supporters.
Trump's policies reflect his support for the fossil fuel industry. His "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" includes billions of dollars in giveaways to fossil fuel companies and their executives, while scaling back credits for clean vehicles and renewable energy sources. Republicans who backed this anti-environment bill accepted over $105 million from the fossil fuel industry.
The fossil fuel industry has spent millions to influence Trump and Congress, and it has used its power to spread misinformation and attempt to sway the courts. Trump's administration has pushed back against organizations that promote clean power and attempted to pressure the State Department to replace officials who support the transition to clean energy.
Trump's stance on fossil fuels and his relationships with the industry have raised concerns about the influence of money in politics and the potential for conflicts of interest.
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Gulf monarch ties to Trump
The relationship between Donald Trump and the Gulf monarchies has been a topic of interest for many. Trump's first international trip as President was to Saudi Arabia, breaking with the tradition of his predecessors, who had chosen Canada, Mexico, the U.K., or NATO headquarters in Brussels for their first trips. Trump has also hosted the Saudi-backed LIV golf tour at his U.S. properties, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, received $2 billion from the kingdom's Public Investment Fund for his private equity firm.
Trump has been drawn to the Gulf monarchies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, due to their wealth, deal-making capabilities, and growing global influence. During his presidency, he sought to strengthen ties with these countries, even spurning traditional democratic allies in favour of the Gulf states. Trump turned to Saudi Arabia to host U.S.-Russia talks and attempted to meet with Vladimir Putin in Riyadh, demonstrating his willingness to utilise the Gulf monarchies' diplomatic prowess.
The Gulf monarchies have long been a significant source of foreign capital inflows into the United States, and their investments have enabled the U.S. to continue its debt-driven economic growth. During Trump's administration, arms sales to these countries ballooned, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates leading a war in Yemen. Trump's affinity for the Gulf monarchies extends beyond economics, as he has defended the Saudi-U.S. relationship despite bipartisan criticism following the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump's ties to the Gulf monarchies have continued even after his presidency. During a 2025 trip to the region, his focus remained on securing investment commitments for AI, aircraft, and weapons. Trump's personal business empire in the Gulf is also expanding, with projects in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
In summary, Trump's relationship with the Gulf monarchies is characterised by mutual economic interests, diplomatic alliances, and a shared affinity for deal-making. Trump has leveraged the wealth and global influence of these monarchies to further his business and political agenda, while the Gulf states have benefited from increased foreign investment and arms deals during his administration. The ties between Trump and the Gulf monarchies have had significant geopolitical implications, particularly in the context of U.S. relations with Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
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Trump's war on clean energy
The Trump administration's war on clean energy has resulted in the cancellation, closure, or downsizing of nearly $8 billion in investments and 16 new large-scale factories and projects in the first quarter of 2025 alone. This includes the withdrawal of $7.9 billion in investments since January, more than triple the total investments cancelled over the previous 30 months.
Trump has repeatedly used executive orders to attack US clean energy policies, with a particular focus on wind and solar energy. He has issued orders to open up more American land and waters for fossil fuel extraction and has initiated the process of withdrawing the US from the Paris climate agreement. Trump has also temporarily suspended all clean energy development on federal land while excluding oil and gas projects.
The impact of these policies has been significant. More than $6 billion in projects and over 10,000 jobs have been lost in GOP districts alone. The Republican tax law is expected to increase power bills and slow down the construction of solar, wind, and battery projects, potentially eliminating tens of thousands of jobs by 2030.
Trump's actions are driven by culture war politics, as he attempts to create a boogyman to further his political agenda. However, his assault on clean energy is undermining the US's ability to transition to renewable energy and is costing jobs and investment opportunities.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that Republicans who backed Trump's anti-environment bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, have accepted over $105 million in political donations from the fossil fuel industry. This has raised concerns about the influence of big oil on Trump's administration and its impact on clean energy policies.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Trump received millions of dollars from the fossil fuel industry for his inauguration festivities.
Fossil fuel companies and individuals gave a total of over $100 million to Trump's presidential inaugural committee.
Trump's administration has been criticised for its support of fossil fuels and its efforts to oust officials at the International Energy Agency, which has been publishing data that promotes the shift to clean power over fossil fuels. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act also includes billions of dollars in giveaways to fossil fuel companies.
