A ProPublica Reporter Cold-Called President Trump — ProPublica
ProPublica — 2026-06-23 04:00:00 — www.propublica.org
Trump Downplays Ties to Oil Donor, Signals Opposition to Methane Rules
In a revealing exchange, President Donald Trump minimized his relationship with major oil industry donor Jeff Hildebrand, stating, “I hear he does a good job. Don’t know him very well. OK?” when asked about the billionaire’s influence. Despite naming Hildebrand’s wife ambassador to Costa Rica and his administration’s ongoing efforts to weaken environmental regulations that could benefit Hildebrand, Trump professed little familiarity with the oil tycoon’s business.
When pressed about the impact of “Biden methane rules” on Hildebrand’s operations, Trump quickly responded, “Certainly we do the opposite of what Biden did.” This comment highlights the administration’s broader approach: prioritizing deregulation over technical policy details, often regardless of the specific individuals or companies involved.
The context of this exchange underscores how the administration’s deregulatory agenda is shaped more by ideological alignment and donor support than by detailed policy knowledge. Stripper wells, like those owned by Hildebrand, contribute just 6% of U.S. oil and gas but are responsible for about half of the sector’s methane pollution—a potent greenhouse gas. Nevertheless, the administration has moved to roll back regulations, a move that stands to benefit donors like Hildebrand.
In January, Trump invited Hildebrand and other energy executives to the White House to discuss investing in Venezuela’s oil industry, which is notorious for high methane emissions. When Hildebrand expressed readiness to help rebuild Venezuela’s infrastructure, Trump replied, “That’s good. You’ll be very happy.”
Trump’s comments and actions, as reported, reveal a pattern of downplaying personal connections while consistently siding with industry interests in regulatory matters. The administration’s stance on methane rules and its willingness to reward loyalty among donors raise important questions about the intersection of policy, personal relationships, and environmental impact.
Source: https://www.propublica.org/article/propublica-called-trump-hildebrand