---

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/f3/097f-f31c7a3a.jpg)

 [ POLITICS ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=396)

#  It’s Up to Us to Stop Trump From Selling Our Future to His Billionaire Oil Buddies

December 02 2024

Written by Sonali Kolhatkar.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

POLITICS - During his campaign, U.S. President-elect [Donald Trump](https://www.commondreams.org/tag/donald-trump) [publicly promised](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09/trump-oil-industry-campaign-money/) to reward oil and gas executives handsomely in exchange for funding his campaign.

Within weeks of winning the election, he’s making good on his promise by tapping [oil and gas executive](https://apnews.com/article/trump-chris-wright-energy-cabinet-4161f363d59013339d5b444ddf123d45) Chris Wright to lead the Department of Energy. Wright has zero experience in running a federal agency. And as *The* *Associated Press* reports, he’s “been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change.”

To lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Trump has picked another crusader against the climate: former New York Rep. [Lee Zeldin](https://www.thenation.com/article/environment/lee-zeldin-environmental-protection-agency-donald-trump/), who voted in lockstep with fossil fuel interests during his time in Congress.

*If Trump wants to “drill baby, drill,” he could thank Biden for paving the way.*

[Poll](https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/ycom-us/) after [poll](https://epic.uchicago.edu/insights/2024-poll-americans-views-on-climate-change-and-policy-in-12-charts/) shows a majority of Americans believe climate change is real, human-caused, and needs to be urgently addressed. Trump’s billionaire oil buddies—who will shape national energy policy for the next four years—offer precisely the opposite.

Trump has promised to make fuel and energy more affordable for consumers by steering massive profits to energy producers—but those profits will come at our expense. He’s pledged to end federal [subsidies for electric vehicles](https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/trumps-transition-team-aims-kill-biden-ev-tax-credit-2024-11-14/), even though many Americans want zero-emission vehicles but [can’t afford them yet](https://www.businessinsider.com/electrc-vehicle-demand-problem-affordability-expense-price-cost-2023-10). And he’s vowed to bring gas prices [under $2 a gallon](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/10/us/politics/trump-economics-gas-tariffs-inflation.html)—a wild claim that economists don’t buy.

Oil profits and [production](https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545) are [already sky-high](https://www.nrdc.org/bio/zanagee-artis/big-oil-made-billions-amidst-hottest-year-record) under President Joe Biden and haven’t led to lower gas prices.

Indeed, Biden has been more of a friend to oil and gas than to climate justice groups. In spite of the White House’s [boasts about historic climate policies](https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/), Biden’s actions have been relatively toothless. Among them are setting goals posts to reduce emissions years from now—anywhere between 2030 and 2050—well after he leaves office.

He’s touted his signature legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act, as a historic victory for the climate. The law did make significant climate investments, but the majority of it [tinkered around the edges](https://majoritypost.com/biden-climate-bill-is-a-joke/) of what’s truly needed. And it ended up giving away billions to the fossil fuel industry for unproven technologies such as “[carbon capture](https://ips-dc.org/the-wrong-way-to-fight-climate-change/).”

Indeed, if Trump wants to “[drill baby, drill](https://abcnews.go.com/US/trumps-drill-baby-drill-fracking-agenda/story?id=115869936),” he could thank Biden for paving the way.

Biden has overseen the transformation of the U.S. into one of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers, both during his [presidency](https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-BIDEN/OIL/lgpdngrgkpo/) and during [the Obama years](https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2015/jan/21/barack-obama/obama-america-no-1-producer-oil-gas/), when he was vice president. According to the [Energy Department](https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61545), the U.S. has “produced more crude oil than any nation at any time… for the past six years in a row.”

So the last thing the fossil fuel industry needs is more favors.

Consumers will pay the price if Trump makes EVs and renewable energy more expensive, lets oil companies dismantle regulations, and accelerates the climate crisis. But he’s relying on ordinary Americans not noticing he’s throwing them and their planet under the bus because of the chaos he’ll bring with mass deportations, anti-LGBT bigotry, and other madness.

With the time he has left, Biden could still declare [climate change a national emergency](https://greennewdealnetwork.org/active_campaign/president-biden-declare-a-climate-emergency/)—a step many environmental groups are [begging](https://www.instagram.com/seventhgeneration/p/DCmLpGluinM/) him to take, but which he’s resisted throughout his presidency. They’re also calling on him to stop the expansion of export infrastructure for [liquefied natural gas](https://www.commondreams.org/news/biden-block-lng-trump).

If Biden wants to make any sort of claim to be a climate champion, he’ll take those steps. But ultimately, it will be up to the rest of us to watch what Trump is doing and fight for better climate policies in our own states and communities.

*(Sonali Kolhatkar is currently the racial justice editor at YES! Media and a writing fellow with Independent Media Institute. She was previously a weekly columnist for Truthdig.com. She is also the host and creator of Rising Up with Sonali, a nationally syndicated television and radio program airing on Free Speech TV and dozens of independent and community radio stations. Sonali won First Place at the Los Angeles Press Club Annual Awards for Best Election Commentary in 2016. She also won numerous awards including Best TV Anchor from the LA Press Club and has also been nominated as Best Radio Anchor 4 years in a row. She is the author of Bleeding Afghanistan: Washington, Warlords, and the Propaganda of Silence, and the co-Director of the non-profit group, Afghan Women's Mission. She has a Master's in Astronomy from the University of Hawaii, and two undergraduate degrees in Physics and Astronomy from The University of Texas at Austin. Watch her 2014 Tedx talk, My journey from astrophysicist to radio host. She can be reached at www.sonalikolhatkar.com)*

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 First Name

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/20/070h-20f29015.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

### [Trump World. From Assassination Abroad to Chaos at Home](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - We’re at a moment when all sorts of political questions are coming to a head. And if that old phrase…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/ed/068d-ed5f9acd.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

### [Zuckerberg May Finally Pay a Price for Preying on Our Children](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

IN MY VIEW - As a mother of two children who has often been on the losing side of family battles against screen time, I…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/27/070e-279910b9.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)

### [Nithya Raman Has Yet to Address Hasan Piker’s Antisemitism Controversy](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)

THE VIEW FROM HERE - While it was outrageous that in May 2026 CD 4 councilmember and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman end…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a9/070g-a9407aaa.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

### [They Said It Made No Sense. Then They Voted Yes.](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - Sacramento has streamlined housing approvals so aggressively that residents rarely get a heari…

---

##  [ POLITICS ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=396)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070a.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33286:one-city-15-mini-mayors-los-angeles-is-governing-itself-into-chaos&catid=396)### [One City, 15 Mini Mayors: Los Angeles Is Governing Itself Into Chaos](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33286:one-city-15-mini-mayors-los-angeles-is-governing-itself-into-chaos&catid=396)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2026/038m.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32722:californias-homeless-disaster-is-exploding-which-governor-candidate-has-the-courage-to-stop-it&catid=396)### [California’s Homeless Disaster Is Exploding Which Governor Candidate Has the Courage to Stop It?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32722:californias-homeless-disaster-is-exploding-which-governor-candidate-has-the-courage-to-stop-it&catid=396)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2026/041m.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32762:tim-gaspars-political-problem-the-more-voters-learn-the-worse-it-gets&catid=396)### [Tim Gaspar’s Political Problem: The More Voters Learn, the Worse It Gets](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32762:tim-gaspars-political-problem-the-more-voters-learn-the-worse-it-gets&catid=396)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/053a.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32987:if-nithya-raman-cant-explain-socialism-why-is-she-asking-los-angeles-to-vote-for-it&catid=396)### [If Nithya Raman Can't Explain Socialism, Why Is She Asking Los Angeles to Vote for It?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32987:if-nithya-raman-cant-explain-socialism-why-is-she-asking-los-angeles-to-vote-for-it&catid=396)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/060a.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33130:an-interview-with-steve-hilton-candidate-for-governor-of-california&catid=396)### [An Interview With Steve Hilton – Candidate for Governor of California](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33130:an-interview-with-steve-hilton-candidate-for-governor-of-california&catid=396)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>