A top Trump and McConnell ally was just revealed as a major player in Amazon deforestation
BY VINNIE LONGOBARDO
PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 27, 2019
After yesterday’s revelation that Republican lobbyists were assisting Brazil’s extremist right-wing government in attracting American business investment in the Amazon — promoting opportunities in mining, agribusiness, and the energy sector in what was formerly pristine rainforest — The Intercept has now uncovered ties between a top donor to Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and the ongoing destruction in the Amazon.
The connection comes through Stephen Schwarzman —a major Trump ally and someone who has donated millions to Senator McConnell — the co-founder and CEO of Blackstone.
Schwarzman and Blackstone own a majority stake in Hidrovias do Brasil — one of two Brazilian companies controlled by the major U.S. investment firm — that have contributed in significant ways to the destruction of the Amazonian rainforest in the country as they expand deforestation to clear land for grain and soybean crops and build highways and shipping terminals.
Their work helps assist President Jair Bolsonaro’s vision of a manifest destiny for Brazil that includes milking the Amazon region of every resource and dollar that can be extracted without regard to environmental consequences.
More:
https://washingtonpress.com/2019/08/27/a-top-trump-and-mcconnell-ally-was-just-revealed-as-a-major-player-in-amazon-deforestation/
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(From left) US President Donald Trump watched the midterms with Republican mega-donors, including Blackstone chief Steve Schwarzman and business magnate Sheldon Adelson.PHOTOS: REUTERS, BLOOMBERG, ST FILE
Trump watched the election results with mega-donors Adelson, Schwarzman
PUBLISHED NOV 7, 2018, 2:11 PM SGT
WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - President Donald Trump watched election returns on Tuesday (Nov 6) with dozens of friends in the palatial East Room of the White House, including Republican mega-donors Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Miriam, and Blackstone Group chief executive Steve Schwarzman.
There were cheers when Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, lost to Republican Mike Braun, and some excitement when Texas Senator Ted Cruz was declared victorious over Democratic Representative Beto O'Rourke.
But Mr Trump watched solemnly as his party lost House seats across the country, according to three people familiar with the scene.
The watch party had the feel of a social gathering until Mr Trump arrived and greeted guests in one room, then moved to another room to watch two televisions - one with Fox New Channel's volume turned up and another with four channels on a split screen - Fox, Fox Business, CNN and MSNBC.
Mr Trump gave no speech or remarks, but expressed gratification about some of the Republican wins, including Mr Ron DeSantis for governor of Florida.
The guests ate pizza, mini hotdogs, hamburgers and French fries served from elegant dishware.
More:
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/trump-watched-the-election-results-with-mega-donors-adelson-schwarzman
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