The massive $1 billion Trump corruption scandal hiding in plain sight

President Donald Trump’s reported $1 billion pitch to oil executives is a massive corruption that has been overlooked, according to a new analysis that accuses politicians and the media of ignoring an alleged pay-to-play arrangement that has delivered major benefits to the fossil fuel industry.

Writing in The New Republic on Monday, climate journalist Mark Hertsgaard said Trump’s pre-2024 election promises to oil executives are getting too little attention now that his administration is pursuing the industry’s agenda.

Hertsgaard described it as “one of the most overt and consequential examples of Trump’s pay-to-play behavior.”

According to a Washington Post report, the pay-to-play call to action occurred during dinner at Mar-a-Lago in April 2024, where Trump privately urged oil executives to raise $1 billion for his presidential campaign.

Trump reportedly called the proposed arrangement a good “deal,” offering tax breaks and fewer regulations in return once he got back to office.

Trump promised to reverse President Joe Biden’s pause on new liquefied natural gas export permits, expand oil drilling in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico, and roll back emissions regulations. The Post later reported that Trump also offered to ease federal scrutiny of oil industry mergers.

Hertsgaard argued that Trump has since delivered on those promises, and pointed out how fossil industry players are raking in billions as a result.

A Brennan Center for Justice analysis found that oil and gas interests gave at least $75 million to Trump's 2024 campaign as well as affiliated PACs. Oil money also went to Trump’s political operation when he got back to the White House. The reported numbers is far below the $1 billion Trump reportedly wanted from the oil executives, but what they donated has gotten them numerous benefits from the administration.

Trump’s signature legislative package delivered $18 billion in tax incentives to fossil fuel companies, according to the Brennan Center. His administration also reversed the LNG permitting pause and rolled back the greenhouse gas emission rules.

Hertsgaard questioned why the Democrats and the media have paid little attention despite numerous polls pointing to voters' concerns about corruption.

A September Economist/YouGov poll found that 53 percent of respondents described Trump as “corrupt,” while 23 percent called him “honest.” A Fox News poll also found that 60% of respondents are extremely concerned about corruption in the Trump administration.

The columnist argued that journalists should follow the money from the campaign donation requests to the Trump administration decisions

The $1 billion figure points to solicitation rather than requests fulfilled. However, Hertsgaard’s central argument is that the oil industry-friendly policies Trump has enacted following the request should be looked at more closely.