Trump Picks Fracking CEO as Energy Secretary

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Facts

  • Pres.-elect Donald Trump on Saturday nominated Chris Wright, chief executive officer of Denver-based fracking company Liberty Energy, as energy secretary and member of the newly formed Council of National Energy.[1][2]
  • In a statement, Trump lauded Wright for his work in nuclear, solar, geothermal, oil, and gas, calling him a pioneer 'who helped launch the American shale revolution that fueled American energy independence.'[3]
  • Wright was reportedly chosen on the recommendation of oil executive Harold Hamm, who has previously advised Trump on energy issues. On X, Wright vowed to make American energy 'more affordable, reliable and secure.'[4][5]
  • Wright has often downplayed climate change, calling it 'far from the world's greatest threat to human life' in his annual Bettering Human Lives report. Earlier this fall, he said: 'There's no dirty energy, there's no clean energy.'[6][2]
  • In his statement, Trump further described the role of the new Council of National Energy, which he wrote will 'pave the path' to US energy dominance by cutting unnecessary government regulations.[7][8]

Sources: [1]Daily Wire, [2]Axios, [3]New York Times, [4]Newsweek, [5]X.com, [6]Youtube, [7]Daily Caller and [8]Truth Social.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Mother Jones. Once again, Trump has picked a cabinet member based more on loyalty to him than competency in the role. The president-elect may be trolling liberals, but he's also making the country less safe, and Wright's lack of experience dealing with nuclear weapons could undoubtedly put the US in a bind. Wright may be getting rewarded for his family's large donations to Trump's campaign, but the US transition to green energy may prove harder to stop than Wright thinks.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by PJ Media. Climate catastrophists on the left can whine all they want about this pick, but Wright is a competent, innovative energy expert who'll help Trump fulfill his campaign promise to make US energy independent again. It's not the DOE's job to promote a specific type of energy; the DOE is responsible for making sure Americans are safe and have access to affordable fuel.

Predictions