An Extraordinary White House Meeting With Oil And Gas Execs

"A new book sheds light on President Trump’s affinity for fossil fuels."

"Last year, President Trump gathered with executives from the oil and gas industry at the White House to discuss a range of topics, including drilling and tariffs.

Few details emerged from the March 2025 meeting at the time, leaving many to wonder what exactly had transpired. Now, our colleagues Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan have answers.

In the new book “Regime Change,” they provide an account of that meeting that sheds additional light on Trump’s affinity for fossil fuels and his willingness to exert presidential power.

At one point during the meeting, the executives began complaining about the Climate Superfund bills that had recently passed in Vermont and New York. As they spoke, Trump’s policy adviser, Stephen Miller was texting the attorney general Pam Bondi. “I’m on it,” Miller told the group. Less than two months later, the administration sued both states seeking to block enforcement of the laws."

David Gelles reports for the New York Times July 15, 2026.

Source: New York Times, 07/16/2026