Did Joe Biden Revoke the Keystone Pipeline Permit to Help Warren Buffett?

There is no evidence to support this claim.

By
3

After President Joe Biden revoked a permit on the Keystone XL oil pipeline on January 20, social media rumors began spreading about Biden’s motivation behind this decision. 

A viral Facebook post claims that construction on the Keystone Pipeline was halted because of Biden’s connection to billionaire investor Warren Buffett. The post claims: “The Keystone pipeline. Cancelled by Biden on his first day. Warren Buffet [sic] owns the railroad that is now transporting all that oil. Warren Buffet [sic] donated 58 million to the Biden campaign. Warren Buffet [sic] would lose billions in transport fees if the pipeline is completed. See how politics works? It is not an environmental issue, it is a money issue…”

Although it’s true that Biden signed an executive order to cancel the Keystone pipeline permit, there’s no evidence Warren Buffett was involved in the decision or in Biden’s campaign. 

According to information from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Buffet did not give any money directly to Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. Buffett’s last contribution, per the FEC, was in November 2019 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which supports Democratic House candidates. The last individual candidate he contributed to was Arizona Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly in February 2019.  Also, a $58 million dollar campaign contribution would violate the contribution limits outlined by the FEC. 

Keep reading with a free account
Create a free Dispatch account to keep reading Get Started ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SIGN IN
3
By
Comments (3)
Join The Dispatch to participate in the comments.
 
  1. Avatar photo
    Visibly

    Thanks for this clarification. Without follow up from my side, I could easily have found the fake news credible. It just shows us how we must pay careful attention to all political statements

    Collapse
  2. Avatar photo
    PeteC

    You need an edit here.

    "...the decision to revoke the Keystone permit 'would not be consistent with my Administration’s economic and climate imperatives.'"

    should be

    "...leaving the Keystone permit in place 'would not be consistent with my Administration’s economic and climate imperatives.'”

    Collapse
    1. Avatar photo
      Tom B.

      Love the fact check, but definitely make this edit before that misstatement is taken out of context and used to fuel further misinformation. From the linked White House briefing room website: "Leaving the Keystone XL pipeline permit in place would not be consistent with my Administration’s economic and climate imperatives." (Sec. 6(d))

      Collapse