John Addison sent $200,000 to the super PAC behind JD Vance's Senate run on April 1, 2022. He sent another $100,000 on April 26, Federal Election Commission records show. Both filings list his employer as Vitol, the world's largest independent oil trader.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright phoned Addison at his desk in Houston on Jan. 5, 2026, two days after U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro. Wright asked whether Vitol wanted to sell Venezuela's crude, Reuters reported Wednesday. Addison and the Energy Department both confirmed the call.
There was no competitive bidding.
