Trump-y ad blitz launched to sway the president on energy credits
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Screenshot of Built for America ads
A new business-backed group with GOP ties just launched a $2 million, three-week ad blitz to preserve IRA tax credits — and the framing is very Trump-y.
Why it matters: It comes during crunch time for hundreds of billions of dollars of tax incentives on the chopping block in the budget reconciliation fight.
The big picture: Built for America is placing ads on Fox, Truth Social, Rumble, podcasts and beyond.
- "Unlike other efforts focused on Congress, Built for America is the only campaign speaking directly to the president and making the case that these energy tax credits are a cornerstone of his pro-worker, pro-growth agenda," the rollout states.
State of play: It's not disclosing specific donors, but backers include players in nuclear, carbon capture, hydrogen, critical minerals, storage and more, it said.
- The executive director is Mitch Carmichael, a Republican who previously served as West Virginia's lieutenant governor and economic development secretary.
- Republican strategist and former Trump campaign adviser Bryan Lanza is advising the new effort.
Driving the news: "Trump country is booming. We're building, hiring and winning in America, because energy tax credits put America first," one of the ads states, touting new jobs and manufacturing.
- "President Trump, keep what works," it states.
Catch up quick: More business interests are pressing the Senate to soften House GOP budget plans that scuttle or restrict IRA energy tax credits.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in a new post, is urging preservation of what it calls "pro-growth" credits around hydrogen and clean electricity production.
The bottom line: Low-carbon energy industries are increasingly framing their message more around "energy dominance" and less — a lot less — around green goals.
- The new effort brings GOP ties, a big chunk of change, and an especially MAGA scaffolding.
