Unmasking the MAGA Energy Project: Is Trump Really Backing CCS in Louisiana?

By CO2 Chronicles

Louisiana’s politics have always been fiery, but the recent push to promote carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) has added a new layer of controversy. A newly formed group calling itself the MAGA Energy Project, Inc., has entered the spotlight, claiming that Donald Trump himself supports Louisiana’s CCS boom. But is that actually true?

We did a deep dive to uncover what’s really going on — and what we found may surprise you.

Who Is the MAGA Energy Project?

MAGA Energy Project, Inc. is a Louisiana nonprofit incorporated on October 23, 2025. With a sleek website and aggressive marketing, they’ve launched commercials, mailers, and text messages that portray CCS as part of Trump’s America First energy agenda. The name “MAGA” and glowing Trump quotes make it seem like the president is personally backing the effort.

But behind the curtain? The organization is reportedly headed by Stephen Gelé, Governor Jeff Landry’s personal attorney. Gelé has a history of crafting legislation and defending Landry in ethics cases. That’s led many to believe that MAGA Energy Project is not an independent grassroots movement — but a political tool crafted by Landry’s inner circle to win public support for a controversial policy.

What’s Their Message?

The group claims that CCS is not only safe but part of a visionary plan Trump supports. On their site, they tout $75 billion in proposed CCS investments and quote Trump as backing “cutting-edge technologies” like carbon capture to make America a global energy leader.

But here’s the catch: Donald Trump hasn’t actually come out in strong support of CCS — at least not in the way they suggest.

What Trump Has Really Done on CCS and Climate

Let’s get to the facts. While the MAGA Energy Project paints a picture of Trump as a climate-tech champion, his actual record tells a very different story:

• Pulled Out of the Paris Agreement (Again): In 2025, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the global climate pact, marking the second time he’s done so. He also canceled all U.S. contributions to international climate funds.
• Killed Renewable Programs: Trump ended the federal Solar for All program, which had granted $156 million to Louisiana to help low-income homes install solar panels. Governor Landry initially supported it — until Trump killed it. After that, Landry praised the move as cutting “wasteful spending.”
• Cut Carbon Capture Projects: Trump’s Department of Energy moved to cancel over $7.5 billion in clean energy projects, including major CCS initiatives in Louisiana and Texas. That includes a $500 million CCS project at a Heidelberg cement plant in Louisiana.
• Canceled or Reviewed $12 Billion in Clean Energy Grants and Loans: In October 2025, the Department of Energy listed around $12 billion in clean energy projects for cancellation — including electric vehicle manufacturing grants, battery and energy storage initiatives, hydrogen hubs, and CCS projects. Notably, two flagship Direct Air Capture carbon removal hubs — one in Texas and one in Louisiana — which had received over $1 billion in funding, were also put on the chopping block. This represents a massive pullback from innovation in carbon reduction technologies.
• Attempted Termination of $20 Billion in “Green Bank” and Climate Resilience Funds: The Environmental Protection Agency moved to eliminate $20 billion in clean energy financing grants created under Biden’s administration. Although a federal judge blocked the outright cancellation, Trump’s intent to dismantle these green financial lifelines was clear.
• Boosted CCS Only for Oil Recovery: Trump’s only clear support for carbon capture came when it helped fossil fuel production. In 2025, he increased tax credits for CCS used in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) — pumping more oil from old wells. That’s not the same as using CCS for climate protection.
• Rolled Back Green Rules: Trump paused methane leak rules, delayed stricter emissions standards for coal plants, and mocked climate policies as “waste.” He even halted offshore wind projects.

In short: Trump supports carbon capture only when it serves oil and gas interests — not as a climate solution.

So, Is MAGA Energy Project Misleading the Public?

The facts suggest: Yes.

MAGA Energy Project’s ads and materials give the impression that Trump is leading the charge on CCS. But Trump has actually withdrawn support from many carbon capture projects, especially those funded by federal climate programs.

The group’s name — and the use of Trump’s slogans — appear designed to make carbon capture sound like a conservative, patriotic cause. But it’s a marketing tactic, not a reflection of Trump’s policies.

Even local Republicans are divided. Many GOP legislators in Louisiana have asked Trump to oppose CCS grants and raised concerns about property rights and safety. Meanwhile, Governor Landry himself put a pause on new CCS permits after public backlash — even as his allies created the MAGA Energy Project to promote it.

And that raises some serious questions:

• Has Governor Landry used his own attorney to manipulate the citizens of Louisiana through this nonprofit?
• The biggest question of all: Does President Trump know his name is being used in this way?

If not, maybe someone should tell him.

We encourage concerned citizens to share this information directly with the President. Let’s ensure the truth gets to the top.

📬 Contact the President and make him aware of the misrepresentation of his words. https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

The Takeaway

Citizens of Louisiana deserve facts, not spin. Despite what MAGA Energy Project says:

• Trump has cut CCS projects, not expanded them.
• He pulled out of green energy deals, like the Paris Agreement and Solar for All.
• He slashed over $12 billion in clean energy funding, including flagship carbon removal projects.
• His support is only for CCS tied to oil drilling, not climate-driven sequestration.

So next time you get a glossy mailer or see a flashy ad saying “Trump is behind CCS in Louisiana,” ask yourself: Is that really true — or is it just another political mirage?

At CO2 Chronicles, we believe in cutting through the noise. We’ll keep following the money, the policy, and the truth. Because Louisiana’s future — and the air we breathe — deserves nothing less.

Sources available upon request.