Last week, the United States executed a military operation in Venezuela to remove Nicolás Maduro from power. Few are mourning the dictator’s removal– and for good reason– but many are concerned about what’s next. Who’s in charge? How long will the U.S. be involved? Will more troops be deployed? Will Trump authorize operations in other countries as well? 

There’s little certainty around the future of Venezuela, but what’s clear is that Big Oil appears to be calling the shots for the White House, and everyday Americans will be left paying the price. 

In 2024, Big Oil spent $445 million to influence Trump and Congress. That investment continues to pay off, as the recent military operation has opened up access to the largest crude oil reserves in the world, and Trump is hoping Big Oil can profit off of it. 

The President didn’t notify Congress prior to authorizing military action in Venezuela, but he did admit to tipping off oil companies. He’ll be hosting top oil executives at the White House on Friday for a meeting on the future of the country. And when asked about his plans to rebuild, Trump said “We will rebuild [Venezuela] in a very profitable way.” 

Meanwhile, the President is continuing to seize oil tankers and acquiring tens of millions of barrels of oil, saying that the oil companies will “do very well” as a result. And Trump isn’t alleviating any concerns over the possibility of a forever war, saying that “only time will tell” how long we’ll be involved in Venezuela– as long as it takes for the nation to become profitable for his closest friends, apparently. 

Everyday Americans will be the ones risking their lives and contributing their tax dollars, but they won’t be the ones profiting. It’s going to take tens of billions of dollars to revitalize Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, and Trump has already suggested that the U.S. government will pay or reimburse oil companies for doing this work. 

It’s just the latest example of a broader trend: Trump and his allies will always put the interests of billionaires ahead of the needs of everyday people. 

This administration has cut food assistance, raised health care premiums, enacted cost-raising tariffs, and attacked public school funding– all to extend massive tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and large corporations. Costs are rising, support is shrinking, and billionaires are profiting.  

As your car hits another unfilled pothole, Trump is spending $300 million to build himself a personal ballroom. As your wages stagnate, billionaires are seeing their wealth balloon by over 20%. As your neighborhood is being invaded by federal agents, Trump is kicking back in his newly-renovated White House bathroom. 

Do we want a government that supports everyday people, or do we want one that enables corporate greed? That’s the question that will be on the ballot in North Carolina this year. 

Control over the Senate could come down to our Senate race, where former Governor Roy Cooper is running against former Big Oil lobbyist Michael Whatley. One candidate has spent his career serving North Carolinians, the other has spent his career making rich oil executives even richer. 

Big Oil spent nearly half a billion dollars during the last election cycle– who knows how much they’ll spend in support of their friend Michael Whatley this year. 

So let’s send a clear message in 2026: greedy corporations don’t control our future, we do.