Washington – President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Chris Wright, a prominent fossil fuel executive and campaign contributor, to the role of energy secretary in a potential second Trump administration.
Wright, who is the CEO of Liberty Energy based in Denver, is an outspoken proponent of the oil and gas sector, particularly the practice of fracking, which is a crucial component of Trump’s strategy to secure U.S. “energy dominance” in the international arena.
He has garnered support from key figures within conservative circles, such as influential oil and gas magnate Harold Hamm. Hamm, who serves as the executive chairman of Continental Resources—a notable shale oil company headquartered in Oklahoma—has been a steadfast supporter and advisor of Trump, particularly on energy-related matters during Trump’s initial term in office.
In April, Hamm played a pivotal role in organizing a gathering at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, where Trump allegedly solicited contributions of $1 billion from industry leaders and lobbyists for his campaign, with the implication that he would reverse environmental regulations if he were to be re-elected.
Wright has emerged as one of the most ardent critics of initiatives aimed at combating climate change, suggesting that his leadership could revitalize the fossil fuel industry and facilitate a swift conclusion to a moratorium on natural gas export approvals imposed by the Biden administration over the past year.
He has expressed disdain for what he describes as a “top-down” strategy regarding climate action promoted by liberal and leftist organizations, arguing that the global movement for climate action is beginning to “collapse under its own weight.”
