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ICYMI

ICYMI — Trump Breaking Campaign Promises By Prioritizing Billionaires and Big Oil Over American Families 

February 13, 2025

From Trump’s nominees to his executive orders, Big Oil and monied special interests are winning under the Trump administration at Americans’ expense

Washington, D.C. — On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump repeatedly promised the American people that he would stand up for hard-working families and small businesses. Yet his actions since taking office paint a very different picture—and show his administration is in the pocket of billionaires, special interest groups, and the fossil fuel industry.

From his cabinet appointments to his executive orders, Trump has built an administration that serves the interests of billionaires and Big Oil at the expense of everyday Americans. Here’s what you need to know:

Executive Orders, Attacks on Federal Programs Harming Working Families

Since his first day in office, the Trump administration has gutted federal programs meant to address the climate crisis, halted clean energy projects across the country, and upended years of progress towards creating a more climate-resilient economy.

Trump’s executive orders have consistently favored big businesses and the wealthiest Americans, and his rollback of environmental protections benefits the oil and gas industry while endangering the health and safety of communities across the country.

  • From PBS News: “Experts say Trump’s moves to step away from global climate action, ramp up domestic oil and gas production and remove incentives for electric vehicles are worrisome as the planet continues to heat up. 2024 was Earth’s hottest year on record, and climate scientists say the rising heat is contributing to extreme weather affecting millions.”
  • The New York Times: Trump Is Freezing Money for Clean Energy. Red States Have the Most to Lose.
  • Reuters: Trump administration cuts environmental justice programs at EPA, DOJ
  • Inside Climate News: Executive Orders on Energy and Climate Have Advocates Across the Nation on Edge
  • ESG Dive: Treasury Department Exits Global Regulatory Climate Coalition
  • Inside Climate News: Watchdog Groups Anticipate ‘an All-Out War on Science and Scientists’ by the Trump Administration
  • Canary Media: Trump Freezes Inflation Reduction Act And Infrastructure-Law Funding
  • The Los Angeles Times: Trump’s Move to Kill Federal Consumer Watchdog Will Protect Big Business but Cost Consumers Billions
  • Politico: Zeldin Says Citibank Must Return $20 Billion From Key EPA Climate Program

Billionaire Cabinet Members, Nominees Prioritize Big Oil

Trump’s picks for his cabinet include billionaires, Wall Street insiders, and fossil fuel executives who have long histories of putting profits over people. These officials—including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin—are already working to eliminate programs meant to create a more resilient economy, help families recover from disaster, and invest in small businesses.

Here’s what Americans are reading about the officials already confirmed to Trump’s cabinet:

  • The Washington Post: Senate Confirms Trump’s Pick To Lead His ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Agenda
  • Associated Press: Big Oil Wants A Lot From Trump. It Has An Ally In Doug Burgum, The President’s Interior Pick
  • From Politico: “Wright has come under scrutiny for his previous statements and views over the threat from climate change. Environmental groups, like the League of Conservation Voters, have criticized him as a wealthy Big Oil executive with direct conflicts of interest heading the department, as well as for his previous statements — some of which, like the connection between wildfires and climate change, he doubled down on during his confirmation hearing.”
  • From The Washington Post: “Trade groups for the oil, chemical, mining and manufacturing sectors cheered Zeldin’s confirmation.”

Several of Trump’s dangerous nominees are still moving through the confirmation process in the U.S. Senate, with each having lobbied on behalf of Big Oil companies, attacked responsible investing, and sought to undermine clean energy policies:

  • ESG Dive: Trump’s SEC Pick Sparks Concern From ESG, Climate Experts
  • The Guardian: From Crypto Bro To Commerce Secretary Pick: Howard Lutnick’s Glaring Conflict Of Interest
  • Inside Climate News: With a Veteran Oil and Gas Lobbyist Nominated To Lead the BLM, Westerners Worry About Wildlife and Renewable Energy