Former President Trump Courts Industries for Campaign Cash

Former President Donald J. Trump has been making headlines for his recent closed-door meeting with officials representing the vaping industry at Mar-a-Lago. The meeting, which took place on a Friday in late September, saw the vaping emissaries discussing loosening regulations and seeking input from Mr. Trump on a complicated regulatory issue.

During the meeting, Mr. Trump was joined by key figures from his 2016 campaign, including Kellyanne Conway and Michael Rubino. The group presented mock-ups of mailers they were sending out through Election Day and sought Mr. Trump’s support for the embattled e-cigarette sector.

Shortly after the meeting, Mr. Trump took to social media to declare his support for the vaping industry, stating, “I saved Flavored Vaping in 2019. I’ll save Vaping again!” The head of the Vapor Technology Association, Tony Abboud, expressed his pleasure at Mr. Trump’s continued support for vapers.

This meeting is just one example of Mr. Trump’s efforts to court various industries and billionaires as he seeks a return to the White House. From promising to make America the “crypto capital of the planet” to seeking donations from the oil and gas industry, Mr. Trump’s campaign strategy has been marked by explicit promises and overt appeals for financial support.

Critics have raised concerns about Mr. Trump’s transactional approach to politics, with some describing him as having a “For Sale” sign around his neck. Despite his previous promises to “drain the swamp,” Mr. Trump’s actions as president and in his current campaign have raised questions about conflicts of interest and the influence of money in politics.

As Mr. Trump continues his bid for the presidency, his interactions with industries like vaping, crypto, oil, and gas are likely to remain under scrutiny. With the 2024 election heating up, his alliances and promises to various sectors will play a significant role in shaping the campaign narrative.