from WNYC studios. I'm Brian Lerer. This is my daily politics podcast. It's Tuesday, May 28th.

Last Tuesday, we spoke with climate activist Bill McKibbin about a meeting former President

Donald Trump hosted at Mar-a-Lago with oil

executives. Trump reportedly, if you haven't heard this yet, told the execs he would immediately

roll back dozens of environmental regulations in exchange for one billion, that's billion with a

B, dollars in campaign donations. That meeting happened in early April. Now, Senate Democrats

have launched two investigations into the alleged quid pro quo offer. Senate Budget Committee

Chairman Sheldon White House and the Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden have sent letters

to the oil companies, accusing them of engaging in a quid pro quo

with Trump and requesting additional details about the meeting.

The joint inquiry is the second examination of that fundraising dinner.

Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland, who sits on the House Oversight Committee,

is seeking similar information from the companies. But the Democrats in the Senate, where they on the House Oversight Committee, is seeking similar information from the companies,

but the Democrats in the Senate, where they have the majority, might have more of a chance of

getting to the bottom of what happened at that dinner. Despite the scrutiny, Trump is apparently

undeterred from courting big oil. Last Wednesday, he attended a fundraiser for MAGA Inc, a super PAC that was hosted by three

oil executives at a five-star hotel in Houston. Joining us now to break down all this is Darnanur,

fossil fuels and climate reporter at the Guardian US. Darmu, welcome to WNYC. Thank you for coming on.

Thanks for having me.

It's honor to be here.

You write, quote, that the biggest motivation for oil and gas companies to back Trump

appears to be in the tax system with about $100 billion in tax breaks for the industry

...