Republican Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota on Sunday fired back at CBS host Margaret Brennan, who was questioning former President Donald Trump about allegations that he sought financial help from oil company executives during meetings with them to help fund his inauguration.
Burgum appeared on “Face the Nation” to discuss his reaction to President Trump’s recent ruling and his continued support for the former president as the 2024 election approaches. As Burgum explained that he volunteers to help President Trump’s campaign on energy policy, noting that the state’s oil production is low while foreign adversaries like Iran are increasing production, Brennan interjected to ask about reports of President Trump meeting with oil executives. (Related: ‘Green New Deal’ author AOC warns Trump will raise gas prices)
“Let me ask you this: The Washington Post is reporting that Donald Trump met with oil company executives and said that if he’s elected, he’ll ease regulations and start auctioning leases if they can raise $1 billion to bring him back to the White House,” Brennan said.
“I was at that meeting and that did not happen. That did not happen at that meeting and it has been reported over and over again,” Burgum countered.
“Did he ask for a billion dollars?” Brennan asked.
“He didn’t ask for a billion-dollar donation, he didn’t get anything in return. Look at what he did last time on energy. This guy cut regulations.[s] “He helped lower gas prices for every American — Republican, independent, Democrat — with or without a donation. With or without a donation. It drives me nuts,” Burgum responded.
“Well, COVID-19 shut down the economy and drove prices down,” Brennan interjected.
“People who were not at the meeting were relying on rumors. [to] They report things as if they were facts when they aren’t,” Burgum continued.
“Well, I want you to check,” Brennan said.
The Washington Post report In early May, a source “with knowledge of the meeting,” speaking on condition of anonymity, testified that Trump had sought out the executives to raise $1 billion “to return to the White House.” In return, Trump reportedly vowed to “immediately roll back” dozens of President Joe Biden’s environmental regulations and policies.
Many Democrats have pushed Biden for progressive environmental policies, including a “Green New Deal” that would spend trillions of dollars to help the U.S. achieve net-zero emissions within a decade and guarantee jobs during the transition, but the impact of inflation on gasoline prices has hurt Biden’s approval ratings.
Before the pandemic lockdown in January 2020, petrol prices across the country were U.S. Energy Information AdministrationGasoline prices would be $2.55 per gallon for all types at first, then peak at $4.92 per gallon in June 2022 under the Biden administration, and finally reach $3.61 per gallon in April 2024.
Polls of voters show that Americans trust Trump more than Biden when it comes to the issue of inflation, a top concern for many in November. ABC News/Ipsos Poll Since May, 85% of poll respondents have said inflation is an important issue, and by a 14 percentage point margin, more say they trust Trump more than Biden on the issue.
