"Oil executives have emerged as an increasingly important source of funding for Donald Trump, as industry titans open their wallets to bolster the Republican nominee’s campaign for a second term in the White House.

The billionaires backing Trump include Kelcy Warren, chief executive officer of pipeline operator Energy Transfer LP; Harold Hamm, the founder of Continental Resources Inc.; and Jeff Hildebrand, CEO of Hilcorp Energy Co.

Trump sought more support last week with fundraisers in Midland, Texas, the heart of the prolific Permian Basin, and Houston, the self-styled “energy capital of the world.” The latest swing builds on May events with donors in Dallas and Houston and a closed-door energy roundtable with executives at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida.

Oil executives and employees have grown in significance for Trump as his fundraising base has narrowed. The industry is now his fourth-biggest source of cash, up six places from the 2020 election cycle, according to campaign data analyzed by OpenSecrets."

Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Bill Allison and Mitchell Ferman report for Bloomberg October 6, 2024. [2]