popular articles

Investigation into Trump’s campaign donations

A US Democratic lawmaker is investigating a possible sale of US energy policy in return for billion-dollar donations to Donald Trump's campaign.
Enquête sur les financements de la campagne de Trump.

Please share:

Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland expressed grave concern over allegations that former President Donald Trump sought $1 billion in campaign contributions from oil and gas companies. In exchange, Trump is said to have promised to significantly deregulate the sector if re-elected. This request was reportedly made at a fundraising dinner on April 11 at the Mar-a-Lago Club, potentially putting the integrity of US energy policy on the line.

Offer details and ethical implications

According to reports in The Washington Post and The New York Times, citing unnamed sources, Trump has pledged to lift the freeze on export licenses of LNG. He is reportedly ready to raise the bidding for oil drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico, and to abolish certain regulations on vehicle emissions. These proposals, if implemented, would mark a major departure from the current Biden administration. It has temporarily suspended approval of new LNG export applications and reduced sales of leases for oil and gas exploration.

Company response and API position

In response to Raskin’s letters, major oil and gas companies such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, and others were asked about their knowledge of or involvement in these financial agreements. Andrea Woods, spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute (API), refuted the accusations, calling Raskin’s approach “false and distracting”. In addition, he asserts that API’s meetings with decision-makers were aimed at sharing priorities consistent with their public statements and regulatory filings.
The investigation led by Jamie Raskin seeks to clarify whether the actions allegedly proposed by Trump constituted an illegal sale of US energy policy. This case highlights the tensions between national energy policies and commercial interests. It also raises critical questions about the integrity of political and regulatory processes in the United States.

 

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Advertising

Recently published in

Saudi Aramco has raised $3 billion via a sukuk issue, despite a drop in oil production. The funds raised are intended to support the company's dividend commitments and capital expenditure projects.
Saudi Arabia is changing its oil strategy, abandoning its target of $100 a barrel in order to increase production and regain market share, despite a likely drop in prices.
Saudi Arabia is changing its oil strategy, abandoning its target of $100 a barrel in order to increase production and regain market share, despite a likely drop in prices.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announces that Russia could lift the gasoline export ban if a supply surplus is found in a stable domestic market.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announces that Russia could lift the gasoline export ban if a supply surplus is found in a stable domestic market.
Vladimir Putin has announced the strengthening of energy alliances between Russia, the BRICS and OPEC+, with the aim of stabilizing the global energy market, despite the sanctions imposed by the West in response to the conflict in Ukraine.
Vladimir Putin has announced the strengthening of energy alliances between Russia, the BRICS and OPEC+, with the aim of stabilizing the global energy market, despite the sanctions imposed by the West in response to the conflict in Ukraine.
Oil prices fall by 3% as OPEC+ forecasts a production increase as early as December. Saudi Arabia abandons its target of $100 per barrel, putting pressure on the markets.
ExxonMobil injects $10 billion into the development of the Owo project in Nigeria. This initiative aims to increase oil production and consolidate the group's offshore operations in the country.
ExxonMobil injects $10 billion into the development of the Owo project in Nigeria. This initiative aims to increase oil production and consolidate the group's offshore operations in the country.
The Federal Trade Commission imposes restrictions on Chevron as part of its acquisition of Hess Corporation, preventing John Hess from sitting on the board of directors to limit the risk of collusion and preserve competition in the sector.
The Federal Trade Commission imposes restrictions on Chevron as part of its acquisition of Hess Corporation, preventing John Hess from sitting on the board of directors to limit the risk of collusion and preserve competition in the sector.
The Asian diesel market is benefiting from a one-off rise thanks to Chinese monetary stimulus, but uncertainty persists with weakened fundamentals and a contangoing market structure.
The Asian diesel market is benefiting from a one-off rise thanks to Chinese monetary stimulus, but uncertainty persists with weakened fundamentals and a contangoing market structure.
After a temporary withdrawal, Petrobras is reinvesting in Africa with key holdings in São Tomé and Príncipe, and plans additional projects in Namibia and Angola, thus strengthening its position in the African oil market.
SNPC and GNPC have signed a strategic agreement to strengthen their collaboration in the oil and gas sectors, with a particular focus on energy infrastructure development and energy transition.
SNPC and GNPC have signed a strategic agreement to strengthen their collaboration in the oil and gas sectors, with a particular focus on energy infrastructure development and energy transition.
The blockage of South Sudan's oil exports, crucial to its economy, continues due to military tensions in Sudan, involving the Rapid Support Forces.
The blockage of South Sudan's oil exports, crucial to its economy, continues due to military tensions in Sudan, involving the Rapid Support Forces.
Eni, the Italian oil company, is launching new exploration activities in Libya's Ghadames Basin, with the aim of exploiting under-exploited oil resources despite the country's political instability.
Eni, the Italian oil company, is launching new exploration activities in Libya's Ghadames Basin, with the aim of exploiting under-exploited oil resources despite the country's political instability.
BP is strengthening its presence in India through a series of strategic initiatives, in collaboration with Reliance Industries and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). The aim is to increase local oil and gas production to meet the country's growing demand and enhance energy security.
The Stockholm Arbitration Court's rejection of Ziyavudin Magomedov's claim against Transneft closes a major dispute surrounding the strategic port of Novorossiisk. This decision illustrates the legal tensions in the Russian energy sector.
The Stockholm Arbitration Court's rejection of Ziyavudin Magomedov's claim against Transneft closes a major dispute surrounding the strategic port of Novorossiisk. This decision illustrates the legal tensions in the Russian energy sector.
Libya, torn between its eastern and western factions since 2014, has reached a crucial agreement to appoint new leadership to the Central Bank. This agreement, announced on September 25, 2024, could be decisive in unblocking a crisis situation that is paralyzing the country's economy and its oil sector, the state's main source of revenue.
Libya, torn between its eastern and western factions since 2014, has reached a crucial agreement to appoint new leadership to the Central Bank. This agreement, announced on September 25, 2024, could be decisive in unblocking a crisis situation that is paralyzing the country's economy and its oil sector, the state's main source of revenue.
Prio is in advanced discussions with Sinochem to acquire a 40% stake in the Peregrino oil field. The deal, valued at $1.9 billion, could significantly boost Prio's production.
Prio is in advanced discussions with Sinochem to acquire a 40% stake in the Peregrino oil field. The deal, valued at $1.9 billion, could significantly boost Prio's production.
BRICS energy ministers focus on the future of global energy markets, highlighting the de-dollarization of trade, despite the challenges of currency fluctuations and the complexity of oil trade.
Kazakhstan maintains its OPEC+ obligations despite a planned increase in production from its Tengiz field in 2025. The Kazakh authorities are closely monitoring market developments to adjust their strategy.
Kazakhstan maintains its OPEC+ obligations despite a planned increase in production from its Tengiz field in 2025. The Kazakh authorities are closely monitoring market developments to adjust their strategy.
Shell and Equinor's oil projects in the UK are facing a judicial review initiated by Greenpeace UK, threatening their development in the midst of the energy crisis.
Shell and Equinor's oil projects in the UK are facing a judicial review initiated by Greenpeace UK, threatening their development in the midst of the energy crisis.
Gulf Navigation approves major acquisition to expand storage capacity in Fujairah. The transaction includes the raising of $122 million in shares, pending shareholder approval.
Gulf Navigation approves major acquisition to expand storage capacity in Fujairah. The transaction includes the raising of $122 million in shares, pending shareholder approval.
ESPO Blend oil, from Russia's Far East, has seen its price rise due to strong Chinese demand, crowding out Indian buyers.
Global oil demand is set to grow at a more moderate pace, below the one million barrels per day mark, mainly due to the slowdown in the Chinese economy, according to recent forecasts by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Global oil demand is set to grow at a more moderate pace, below the one million barrels per day mark, mainly due to the slowdown in the Chinese economy, according to recent forecasts by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
VLCC tanker rates from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe and Asia are beginning to recover after a year of sharp declines, due to fluctuating demand for crude oil.
VLCC tanker rates from the Gulf of Mexico to Europe and Asia are beginning to recover after a year of sharp declines, due to fluctuating demand for crude oil.
TotalEnergies launches the development of the Gran Morgu field offshore Suriname. An FPSO will be installed, with discussions underway to integrate Petrobras into the project.
TotalEnergies launches the development of the Gran Morgu field offshore Suriname. An FPSO will be installed, with discussions underway to integrate Petrobras into the project.

Advertising