Wed Sep 25 08:18:32 UTC 2024: ## Trump Heads to Oil Country for Fundraising Push
Former President Donald Trump is embarking on a fundraising swing through Texas, targeting donors in the state’s oil-rich regions to close the gap with his rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump will hold a luncheon in Midland, Texas, known as the heart of the Permian Basin, on October 2nd, followed by a cocktail reception in Houston. The Houston event will be hosted by billionaire Jeff Hildebrand, CEO of Hilcorp Energy Co., and his wife Melinda, both known for their substantial support of Trump’s political endeavors.
The fundraising events come at a critical juncture for Trump, who is facing a significant financial disadvantage against Harris. Fueled by donations from Wall Street and Silicon Valley, Harris has outspent Trump significantly, averaging $7.5 million per day in August compared to Trump’s $2.5 million. This follows Harris’s record-breaking August haul of $361 million, compared to Trump’s $130 million.
Trump has relied heavily on rallies and speeches for his campaign, opting to attend fewer fundraisers than Harris. However, he has increasingly turned to the oil and gas industry for support, highlighting his pro-industry record during his presidency, including easing regulations and intervening in the oil market during the 2020 pandemic.
Trump’s efforts to court oil donors come amidst scrutiny regarding promises made to industry executives to rollback environmental regulations in exchange for $1 billion in campaign contributions. While the Trump campaign has not commented on the fundraising events, this trip marks a clear effort to mobilize support from a key industry base in the final weeks of the presidential campaign.
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