Trump ramps up fossil fuel tweets ahead of Election Day
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Trump's tweeting habits are one sign of how much the president hopes his strong support for fossil fuels will help get him over the top today.
Why it matters: Pennsylvania, a state critical to Trump's re-election chances, is the nation's second-largest natural gas producer. And polls show Texas, which is at the top in oil and gas production, is also in play this year.
Where it stands: Trump's tweets about oil, gas and fracking have soared lately, as seen in the chart above — which is already a little out of date, because it goes through noon yesterday and does not capture recent tweets like this one.
What we don't know: Whether Trump's attacks will work.
- A New York Times/Siena College poll released Sunday shows that 52% of likely voters in Pennsylvania back fracking, while 27% oppose it.
- However, clean energy and climate initiatives like Joe Biden's plans also tend to poll quite well.
Catch up fast: A centerpiece of Trump's attacks is the claim that Biden wants to "ban" fracking — which Biden has been pushing back hard against.
- The claim inaccurately describes Biden's platform, which aims to end new oil-and-gas permitting on federal lands but doesn't seek a national ban.
- Production in Pennsylvania and Texas is centered on private lands.
- But his position has been unclear or appeared more aggressive multiple times.
Go deeper: Trump reaches for oil lifeline
