Daily Caller
Trump’s Ultimatum To Europe On Russian Oil
From the Daily Caller News Foundation
In a wide-ranging speech delivered at the U.N.’s “Climate Week” on Wednesday, President Donald Trump told the assembly that European nations “immediately cease all energy purchases from Russia” before the U.S. would agree to implement further tariffs on the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Europe’s countries weren’t alone in being called out: Trump began with condemnation of China and India for continuing to be the main buyers of Russian crude.
Here is the relevant passage from the President’s speech:
“China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil. But inexcusably, even NATO countries have not cut off much Russian energy and Russian energy products. Which, as you know, I found out about two weeks ago, and I wasn’t happy. Think of it: They’re funding the war against themselves. Who the hell ever heard of that one?”
“In the event that Russia is not ready to make a deal to end the war, then the United States is fully prepared to impose a very strong round of powerful tariffs which would stop the bloodshed, I believe very quickly. But, for those tariffs to be effective, European nations – all of you are gathered here right now – would have to join us in adopting the exact same measures.”
“You’re much closer to this thing – we have an ocean in between, you’re right there. Europe has to step it up: They can’t be doing what they’re doing. They’re buying oil from Russia while they’re fighting Russia. It was very embarrassing to them when I found out about it, I can tell you that.”
“They have to immediately cease all energy purchases from Russia; otherwise, we’re all wasting a lot of time. So, I’m ready to discuss this, we are going to discuss this today with the European nations all gathered here. I’m sure they’re thrilled to speak about it, but that’s the way it is. I like to speak my mind and speak the truth.”
This is far from the first time in which President Trump has warned Europe’s leaders of the self-destructive nature of their dependence on Russian oil and natural gas. Indeed, during his first G20 conference in July, 2017, Trump warned European heads of state at the time that their dependency could embolden Putin’s expansionist ambitions specifically related to Ukraine.
During a breakfast meeting, the President singled out Germany over its pending approval of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which promised to expand Russia’s energy leverage related to that country and much of the rest of northwestern Europe. His remarks were met with ridicule in a speech delivered during the same conference, with the German delegates openly laughing at him.
Of course, five years later, with a much weaker U.S. president safely in place, Putin ordered his army to invade Ukraine in late February 2022, and both the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 pipelines were blown up shortly thereafter by still unidentified perpetrators. The ensuing conflict has led to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian deaths and the displacement of millions of Ukrainian citizens, ranking it as one of the largest human calamities since World War II.
Notably, no one in the U.N. assembly audience was laughing at President Trump as he spoke on Wednesday. The disaster he warned Europe’s leaders of eight years ago has come to full fruition, with even more horrific results than even Trump had envisioned, a reality no one in that assembly hall can any longer deny.
Whether European leaders are now finally prepared to end their unhealthy energy dependence on the country they claim to be their mortal enemy is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: None among them can ever claim they have not been warned, once again and very publicly, by this President of the United States.
David Blackmon is an energy writer and consultant based in Texas. He spent 40 years in the oil and gas business, where he specialized in public policy and communications.
From the Daily Caller News Foundation
By Hailey Gomez
The partially taxpayer-funded Ivanpah Solar Power Facility in California’s Mojave Desert is set to shut down in 2026 due to inefficiency in generating solar energy, according to the New York Post.
The $2.2 billion plant, which features three 459-foot towers, was greenlit in 2010 and completed in 2014. According to the New York Post the closure stems from the site being “outpaced by solar photovoltaic technology” and proving both inefficient and costly. The shutter of the site comes more than a decade ahead of its original 2039 end date, according to the Associated Press.
Speculation about Ivanpah’s early closure began in January, when Pacific Gas & Electric announced an agreement with the plant’s owners to terminate its contracts.
“Ivanpah Solar was built when developers were investing in many different types of clean energy. The goal was to find efficient and affordable technologies to reduce the need for greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels,” PG&E wrote in a January press statement.
“The technology had worked on a smaller scale in Europe. Spain had several concentrating solar projects of up to 20 megawatts. In the 2000s and 2010s, various private companies invested in large-scale concentrating solar power in the United States. But over time, solar photovoltaic technology raced ahead of its rival in affordability,” the press statement continued.
Funds for the massive plant partially came from former President Barack Obama’s Department of Energy, which in 2011 issued $1.6 billion in three federal loan guarantees under former Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz. At the 2014 opening, Moniz touted federal support for the project, calling it “a shining example” of America’s leadership in solar energy.
“The Ivanpah project is a shining example of how America is becoming a world leader in solar energy,” said Secretary Moniz, as reported by PBS. “As the President made clear in the State of the Union, we must continue to move toward a cleaner energy economy, and this project shows that building a clean energy economy creates jobs, curbs greenhouse gas emissions, and fosters American innovation.”
In recent years, California has faced mounting problems with solar energy and refineries. In August 2024, major rooftop solar company SunPower filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware after struggling with issues like California’s rooftop solar subsidy programs and high interest rates.
From the Daily Caller News Foundation
Erika Kirk forgave her husband’s alleged assassin Sunday during a speech at the memorial service for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, saying he would not respond with hatred.
The accused assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested by police on the evening of Sept. 11, roughly 33 hours after Kirk was fatally shot while taking part in a “Prove Me Wrong” event at Utah Valley University.
In the midst of an emotional speech, Erika Kirk recounted the Biblical account of Jesus Christ on the cross forgiving those who crucified him.
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“On the cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,’” Mrs. Kirk said, choking up with emotion. “That man, that young man… I forgive him.”
The audience erupted in applause and emotion for approximately 45 seconds as Erika Kirk broke down in tears.
“I forgive him because it is what Christ did,” Mrs. Kirk said. “It is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love, and always all. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Prior to forgiving the assassin, Mrs. Kirk told a capacity crowd that filled up State Farm Stadium why Charlie Kirk went to the college campuses.
“Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the west, the young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith and no reason to live. The men wasting their lives on distractions and the men consumed with resentment, anger and hate,” Erika Kirk said, choking up at times. “Charlie wanted to help them. He wanted them to have a home with Turning Point USA, and when he went onto campus, he was looking to show them a better path and, a better life that was right there for the taking. He wanted to show them now. My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life.”
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