Harold G. Hamm, a billionaire oil and gas executive and supporter of Donald J. Trump, is set to host an exclusive fossil fuel industry celebration on Inauguration Day. Hamm, the founder of Continental Resources, has been influential in Trump’s plans to roll back environmental protections and grant energy companies access to federal land and waters. He raised millions for Trump’s campaign, and the oil and gas industry spent over $75 million to help elect Trump. Among the guests invited to the celebration is Doug Burgum, Trump’s nominee for the Interior department, who received the invitation shortly after Trump’s election victory.
Despite the invitation, Burgum’s adviser stated that he would not attend Hamm’s party and would instead participate in formal inauguration proceedings on January 20. The event, hosted on the roof of a hotel near the White House, is sponsored by organizations like the Domestic Producers Energy Alliance and Unleash Energy, which includes many Trump advisers. The event promotes itself as a celebration of the occasion with panoramic views of the White House. While the private event does not appear to violate ethics rules, it highlights how big donors can gain access to officials who will influence energy policy over the next four years.
Harold Hamm and Continental Resources did not respond to requests for comment regarding the event. Other sponsors of the celebration include companies like Liberty Energy, which was founded by Chris Wright, Trump’s nominee for the Energy Department. Summit Agriculture Group, an investor in a carbon emissions project supported by Burgum, is also a sponsor. The American Petroleum Institute, the oil industry’s main lobbying group, is another sponsor of the event. These organizations have been supportive of Trump’s energy policies, which include repealing environmental regulations and promoting increased oil and gas production.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump asked oil and gas executives to raise $1 billion for his bid and promised them savings on taxes and legal fees through deregulation. The fossil fuel industry has welcomed Trump’s victory, as he has pledged to eliminate pollution limits, boost natural gas exports, and allow drilling in environmentally sensitive areas. The United States is currently the world’s largest oil producer and exporter of natural gas, and Trump’s administration has supported the industry’s growth. Industry leaders like Thomas J. Pyle of the American Energy Alliance believe Trump has been supportive of domestic oil and gas production, contrasting with the perceived hostility from the Biden administration.
Overall, the exclusive event hosted by Harold Hamm on Inauguration Day highlights the close ties between the Trump administration and the fossil fuel industry. While the event itself does not violate ethics rules, it demonstrates how big donors can gain access to influential policymakers who will shape energy policy over the next four years. The celebration reflects the industry’s support for Trump’s energy policies, which prioritize deregulation and increased production. Trump’s promises to support the fossil fuel industry have resonated with industry leaders, who see his administration as a ally in promoting domestic oil and gas production.
