Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) accused President Donald Trump of favoring fossil fuel interests by rescinding greenhouse gas standards for power plants. The Vermont Independent cited record global temperatures and rising fuel costs as evidence that the administration prioritizes short-term corporate profits over environmental stability.

Policy Reversal and Climate Concerns

The criticism follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to repeal Biden-era emissions rules. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the move as necessary to keep energy prices affordable for consumers.

Sanders highlighted recent climate data to contextualize the policy shift. He noted that the US just experienced its hottest summer in recorded history. Additionally, August tied for the hottest global month ever recorded. Sanders argued that the administration is trading the planet’s future for the benefit of "Big Oil billionaire friends."

Rising Fuel Costs and Political Backlash

The political dispute occurs against a backdrop of elevated energy prices. The national average price for a gallon of gasoline exceeded $4.30 on Sunday. This surge coincides with ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, which have disrupted supply chains and driven up costs.

State officials have also weighed in on the economic impact:

• Gov. Jay Robert ‘JB’ Pritzker (D-IL) demanded that oil companies refund consumers through price reductions or direct payments, citing windfall profits during the crisis.
• Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) accused Energy Secretary Chris Wright and President Trump of engaging in conflict with Iran despite knowing the adverse impact on US energy costs.

What the Numbers Show

The divergence between corporate profitability and consumer cost burdens is evident in the current market data. While oil producers report windfall gains due to war-driven demand spikes, retail fuel prices have crossed the $4.30 threshold. This gap has prompted bipartisan calls for refunds, suggesting that operational efficiencies or strategic reserves have not yet translated into lower pump prices for consumers.

Sen. Bernie Sanders highlighted the global reach of billionaire political influence on Sunday, pointing to $97 million in donations received by Nigel Farage’s Reform Party from cryptocurrency billionaires.

The independent senator stated that oligarchy is not confined to the United States. He argued that ultra-rich individuals are funding right-wing parties worldwide, asserting that democracy requires one person, one vote.

Donation Sources and Legal Background

According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Sanders, two cryptocurrency billionaires, Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne, made the largest political donations in British history to the Reform Party.

Both donors contributed approximately $48.7 billion each to support the party ahead of the 2029 general elections. Harborne is known for early investments in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Delo is a co-founder and former executive of the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX.

Delo, along with BitMEX co-founders Arthur Hayes and Samuel Reed, pleaded guilty in 2022 to violating the Bank Secrecy Act. They were accused of operating the exchange as a money laundering platform. President Donald Trump pardoned the three co-founders in March 2025.

Political Investigations and Industry Spending

Farage is currently facing an investigation regarding a private $6.65 million gift he received from Harborne in early 2024. Farage denies any wrongdoing in connection with the donation.

Sanders has consistently criticized large-scale political spending as legalized bribery. He advocates for overturning the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling and transitioning to public election funding.

The cryptocurrency industry has increased its political mobilization. Fairshake, a crypto-focused super PAC, has contributed $88 million as of July 31, reflecting the sector’s growing role in election cycles.

What the Numbers Show

The source data reveals a significant concentration of funding sources. Two individuals, Delo and Harborne, account for the entirety of the reported $97 million influx to the Reform Party. This indicates that the party’s recent financial surge relies heavily on a narrow base of high-net-worth individuals from the cryptocurrency sector rather than broad-based small-dollar donations.