NextGen Climate Highlights Tillerson’s Dangerous Record

New Television and Digital Campaign Urges Citizens to Speak Out

SAN FRANCISCO—NextGen Climate today launched a new ad—timed for the start of confirmation hearings—that calls out Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson’s close relationship with Vladimir Putin, and his record of putting corporate profits ahead of America’s health, safety and security. The ad is part of a campaign in six states and Washington D.C. designed to encourage Americans to voice their opposition to his nomination.

The ad, “Protect America,” comes as Donald Trump is under fire for dismissing intelligence reports that found Russia conducted a campaign of cyberattacks to interfere with U.S. elections, and previously suggested that he would lift sanctions against Russia.

“Donald Trump has made his values clear—instead of working to support the American people, he’s nominating corporate and Wall Street insiders,” said NextGen Climate President Tom Steyer. “Rex Tillerson has shown he puts corporate interests over American interests. The Senate must protect the public by rejecting his nomination.”

Tillerson, the former CEO of Exxon Mobil, maintained a self-described “very close relationship” with Vladimir Putin, receiving Russia’s Order of Friendship award in 2013. He later opposed American sanctions on Russia that have jeopardized Exxon’s deal with Russian-state oil company Rosneft, estimated to be worth as much as $500 billion. Tillerson also oversaw a lobbying effort to make the sanctions easier to be removed.

In addition, under Tillerson Exxon had one of the worst environmental records and the company is currently under investigation for lying about the dangers of climate change.

The television and digital efforts are part of a national strategy to hold Donald Trump accountable, and inform and mobilize Americans in opposition to his dangerous agenda. The new ad, which provides viewers with a phone number to contact their senators, will run on television stations in Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, Virginia and Washington D.C. during the confirmation process. NextGen Climate’s digital campaign on key websites also directs audiences to a web page where they can contact their senators to voice their opposition to Tillerson and other dangerous Trump nominees.

In the weeks ahead, NextGen Climate will continue to organize volunteers around additional actions to urge senators to oppose Tillerson’s nomination.