Former President Trump asked oil industry executives for $1 billion in campaign cash, according to someone with knowledge of the meeting.
Trump met with oil executives at Mar-A-Lago last month. His request for $1 billion for his campaign was previously reported by The Washington Post and The New York Times.
The Post reported that Trump said the donations would be a “deal” for oil executives because of the tax cuts and relaxed regulations he would implement, but the person who spoke with The Hill said the discussion was not framed as any sort of quid pro quo.
A second source, who was not in attendance but spoke to people who were, also confirmed Trump made the ask for donations. The source said Trump had previously chided oil executives about not opening up their pocketbooks enough for his campaign.
Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt did not confirm or deny that Trump had requested $1 billion when asked.
“Joe Biden is controlled by environmental extremists who are trying to implement the most radical energy agenda in history and force Americans to purchase electric vehicles they can’t afford,” Leavitt said in a written statement.
“President Trump is supported by people who share his vision of American energy dominance to protect our national security and bring down the cost of living for all Americans,” she added.
The April event was organized by oil magnate Harold Hamm.
A Biden campaign spokesperson accused Trump of “selling out working families to Big Oil for campaign checks.”
“Trump isn’t fighting for what’s best for American families, cheaper energy, or our climate — he only cares about winning this election and will sell out working families to special interests to do it,” Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a statement.
Trump in campaign speeches frequently cites high energy and gasoline prices to attack President Biden over inflation and to blame Biden’s policies for the increase in costs.
“We’re going to end this war on American energy. We’re going to drill, baby, drill,” Trump said last week at a rally in Wisconsin. “We’re going to bring down your energy costs. We’re going to bring down your energy costs like you wouldn’t believe.”
Trump has also vowed to reverse the Biden administration’s climate policies, particularly those aimed at bolstering electric vehicles over gas-powered cars and pausing approvals for new infrastructure for the export of liquefied natural gas.