Key facts
- Tycoon Harold Hamm, a successful oilman and founder of Continental Resources, is a close associate of Donald Trump, who has referred to him as his "original oil guy."
- Hamm has been a significant influence on Trump's energy policy, advocating for increased fossil fuel production and deregulation.
- Hamm co-founded and relaunched the Council for a Secure America (CSA), which educates on the strategic importance of US energy security and its role in strengthening US-Israeli national security interests.
- CSA has conducted extensive outreach to lawmakers and security experts, emphasizing Iran as an "existential threat."
- Hamm's views on Iran and the Middle East, which align with Trump's, have been cited as influential in justifying military actions and downplaying associated risks to oil prices.
Tycoon Harold Hamm, a successful oilman and founder of Continental Resources, has been a significant influence on Donald Trump's energy policy and foreign relations, particularly concerning Israel and Iran. Trump has referred to Hamm, the son of Oklahoma sharecroppers who pioneered fracking techniques, as his "original oil guy."
Hamm's influence extends to advocating for fossil fuels and pushing for the rollback of climate regulations, a stance that has drawn criticism from climate advocates and some Democratic lawmakers. He was a key figure in lifting the 40-year-old US crude oil export ban in 2015, a move that benefited his company.
In recent years, Hamm has also been instrumental in organizing fundraisers for Trump and has donated substantially to his presidential campaigns. Less public attention has been given to Hamm's hardline views on Israel and Iran, which have been echoed by Trump, particularly in justifying military actions and downplaying their impact on US energy markets.
Hamm has consistently warned of Iran's threat to Israel and the US, emphasizing the importance of US oil production for Middle East stability. In a 2018 essay, he argued that Iran perpetuates antisemitism and destabilizes the region, while asserting that the US could provide enough oil to stabilize global markets, irrespective of events in Iran or potential disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz.
Central to Hamm's foreign policy advocacy is the Council for a Secure America (CSA), a non-profit he relaunched in 2012. Composed of US oil executives, former Israeli officials, and former White House officials, CSA's mission is to educate on the importance of domestic energy production for American and Israeli national security. The organization has described Iran as a "looming existential threat."
CSA has been highly active, holding hundreds of briefings with lawmakers and their staff, as well as high-level discussions with US and Israeli security experts. Public records show CSA members have met with former and current energy and interior secretaries, including Chris Wright and Doug Burgum.
While CSA states it does not lobby for or against military actions, its executive director, Jennifer Sutton, emphasized its mission to educate on US energy security's role in economic stability, national security, and geopolitical outcomes. Public interest advocates like Tyson Slocum of Public Citizen have described Hamm as the "oil whisperer" in Trump's ear on energy policy.
Hamm's policy victories include the EPA's revocation of the scientific finding underlying most climate rules, a move pushed by his trade group. Since Trump's return to power, Hamm has visited the Oval Office and participated in meetings with Trump, including one following the military action in Venezuela. Following Hamas's 2023 attacks, CSA issued "War Reports" highlighting Iran's connections to militant groups and commissioned polls showing voter support for US military engagement in the region.