Tell Congress: Investigate Fossil Fuel Insider Trading

The Trump administration promised to "drain the swamp"—but fossil fuel billionaires are profiting from insider access.

Robert Pender and Michael Sabel, founders of Venture Global LNG, bought more than a million shares worth almost $12 million each—just days after meeting with senior Trump officials including Energy Secretary Chris Wright in March. Days later, Wright granted their company an export license essential for its expansion plans in Europe.

Senator Jeff Merkley is calling this pattern what it is: potential pay-to-play corruption that demands investigation.

Act now to demand Congress investigate potential conflicts of interest and insider trading.

What the evidence shows:

• $24 million in stock purchases by two billionaires within days of a high-level Trump administration meeting

• Export license granted shortly after the meeting, crucial for company's European expansion plans

• $1 million donation to Trump's inauguration from Venture Global, making them a "top donor"

• $1.67 million spent on lobbying in 2024-2025—more than 12 times their previous record

• $1 billion requested by Trump from fossil fuel industry at Mar-a-Lago event attended by Sabel

Senator Merkley warns: "Dirty oil and gas bucks are fueling the Trump Administration, which should outrage all of us. This latest reporting portrays a pattern of pay-to-play donations and favorable actions by the administration."

The timing raises serious questions about whether these executives used information from their government meetings to profit personally through stock trades.

Sign on to urge Congress to investigate potential insider trading and conflicts of interest.

In solidarity,

Action Collective