Topic: Exxon

President Trump held a call with Venezuela's interim president, Dulce Rodriguez, to discuss oil, minerals, and trade. While Chevron maintains a foothold in the country, Trump has reportedly told Exxon Mobil they will not be part of the new Venezuelan oil deals. The segment also notes the low price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil compared to the heavy sour Brent crude typical of Venezuela.

President Trump ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering Venezuela, demanding the return of oil lands and assets previously nationalized by the Maduro and Chavez regimes. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for de-escalation following a phone call with Maduro. The hosts provide context on the decade-long dispute involving Chevron and Exxon licenses in the region.

Molly Jong-Fast and her guest discussed how renewable energy is becoming cheaper than fossil fuels, a claim the hosts dispute based on the high cost of private wind turbine installations. The podcast segment also accused oil giants like Exxon and Chevron of buying small green energy companies for PR purposes while continuing fossil fuel extraction.

Despite high production levels, global oil prices remain above $70 a barrel, which some attribute to artificial market sentiment. Exxon Mobil's stock price has significantly increased since the 2020 election, benefiting from current energy policies. Additionally, it is noted that Iraqi oil revenue is held in U.S. accounts, giving the United States significant leverage over the Iraqi government.

An anecdote involving a Texas oil tycoon reveals that BlackRock is a major investor in fossil fuel companies despite its public Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) stance. The discussion posits that ESG regulations and Democratic administrations inadvertently benefit oil companies by driving up energy prices. Larry Fink's influence on investment scores is characterized as a market-manipulation scheme.

President Joe Biden detailed a conversation with President Xi Jinping where he warned that China could face the same corporate exodus as Russia if it supports the invasion of Ukraine. Biden noted that 600 American corporations, including McDonald's and Exxon, left Russia without government prodding. Analysts have identified Biden's use of phrases like "no joke" and "God's honest truth" as specific rhetorical markers used when he is delivering questionable anecdotes or blatant falsehoods.

A donor note warns investors to move holdings out of large BlackRock index funds that prioritize ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) scores. The current market is compared to the 1970s, suggesting that passive managers have become active political shareholders, influencing corporate policy at companies like Exxon.

President Biden calls on the FTC to investigate whether illegal conduct is responsible for high gasoline prices, despite unfinished gas prices falling. Meanwhile, Germany halts the certification of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a move expected to cause natural gas prices to soar during the winter. The hosts characterize these energy crises as manufactured.

President Trump meets with oil industry leaders, including the head of Exxon Mobil, to discuss the global glut of oil and gas. He notes that all attendees were tested for the virus before entering the room, passing with "flying colors." The discussion also touches on reports of tainted test vials in Europe that allegedly contained the virus themselves, leading to suspicion about the testing process.

Tom Kunckarts of "Ecologists In Action" discusses the alternative summit's hub in a former monastery. The segment highlights the tension between activists and the official COP25 summit, which received sponsorship from major oil and gas companies. Activists claim this corporate involvement is an attempt to co-opt the environmental movement.

The hosts thank the creators of the Grimerica podcast for their support and mention their new venture, "13 Questions." Donor Patrick Comer shares his strategy of buying Qualcomm and Exxon Mobil stock based on news regarding 5G infrastructure and Venezuelan oil interests.

A major oil discovery off the coast of Guyana has become a focal point for regional tension, with Exxon and Chinese oil companies vying for control. The U.S. strategy in Latin America is described as a modern application of the Monroe Doctrine, seeking economic and political influence over the hemisphere's resources. The humanitarian aid sent to the Venezuelan border is characterized by some as a "Trojan horse" for regime change.

The transition of Rex Tillerson from Exxon CEO to Secretary of State is analyzed through the lens of moving from the private sector to a regulatory or diplomatic role. It is argued that Trump may not have understood the adversarial nature of government service compared to corporate leadership. Additionally, the U.S. border wall is theorized to be a long-term strategic preparation for mass migration resulting from planned instability in Latin America.

Vice co-founder Shane Smith appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience to discuss the 97% scientific consensus on global warming. Smith compared climate change skeptics to the scientists who once claimed smoking was not harmful, alleging that Exxon has spent billions to discredit environmental science. The hosts criticize Smith's arguments as "bogative" and mock the comparison between climate scientists and tobacco industry lobbyists.

An environmental group released a political attack ad against Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson, highlighting his past business dealings with Vladimir Putin and Exxon Mobil. The podcast critiques the ad's production quality, specifically its use of outdated camera sound effects.

A 1970s paper by Exxon engineer James F. Black regarding climate change has resurfaced. The hosts contrast this with the widespread "global cooling" media narrative that was prevalent during the same era, specifically around 1977.

New York State investigates Exxon over claims the company knew about climate change in 1977 but funded denial campaigns. The hosts argue the analogy to the tobacco industry is flawed and designed to extract billions in settlements.

President Obama notified Congress of the deployment of 300 US troops to Cameroon to conduct airborne intelligence and surveillance. The hosts link this deployment to the protection of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline, which is partially owned by Chevron and Exxon. They also mention the release of the "Drone Papers" and the use of the War Powers Resolution to justify the mission.

Adam Curry officially endorses Donald Trump for President, citing his direct communication style and business background. They play a clip of Trump's strategy to defeat ISIS by "bombing the hell" out of their oil fields and bringing in Exxon Mobil to rebuild the infrastructure. The hosts also compare Trump's comments about John McCain to a similar routine by comedian Chris Rock, noting the media's double standard.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is interviewed at the Climate March, where he blames Exxon and the Koch brothers for subverting democracy and causing "oil wars." He argues that the U.S. needs to change its laws and politicians rather than individual consumer habits to solve the climate crisis.