Fossil fuel groups poured a record $96m into Trump ahead of the 2024 election, demanding more scrutiny, not less, says Sheldon Whitehouse

The Republican party’s capturing of the Senate and House of Representatives has ended a congressional investigation into big oil just when it is needed most, according to the leader of the inquiry.

“The fossil fuel industry is running perhaps the biggest campaign of disinformation and political interference in American history and they’re backing it up with immense amounts of political spending,” said the Rhode Island senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “The consequences in the White House are enormous and having a huge effect … but people aren’t aware.”