Donald Trump was seen wearing a badge depicting himself during a meeting with oil executives at the White House. The US president urged executives to quickly return to Venezuela to attract $100 billion in investments aimed at revitalizing the country’s oil reserves. Following the recent capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump positioned the US to take control of previously sanctioned Venezuelan oil sales, emphasizing a new economic opportunity for the country.
During the gathering, Trump, 79, sported his usual American flag pin along with a badge featuring a cartoon version of himself. When asked about the new pin, Trump referred to it as a ‘Happy Trump’ badge, expressing his ongoing drive to make America great again.
Assuring executives of their safety, Trump emphasized direct dealings with the US rather than Venezuela. He highlighted that major oil companies would invest $100 billion independently, emphasizing the need for government protection rather than funding.
Trump welcomed oil executives to the White House following US forces’ seizure of a fifth tanker linked to Venezuelan oil, showcasing the US’s commitment to controlling Venezuela’s oil sector. The meeting, focused on Venezuelan oil and long-term relationships, aimed to reduce oil prices for Americans and mitigate drug and criminal inflows.
Inviting representatives from 17 oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, the White House sought to address the challenges of investing in Venezuela. ExxonMobil’s CEO emphasized the need for significant changes to make Venezuela an attractive investment destination. Other invited companies ranged from Halliburton to international entities like Shell and Repsol, reflecting a diverse group with interests spanning various sectors.