President-elect Trump vows to ‘fight for Alaska like never before’ in video message shared by Dunleavy

In a newly posted video on social media, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to work closely with Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy to explore and develop the state’s resources. In it, Trump referred to his “special relationship” with “Mike.”

“During my second term, we will continue the fight for Alaska like never before,” Trump said in the video.

“We will ensure the gas line project gets built to provide affordable energy to Alaska and allies all over the world,” Trump said, referring to the state’s long-sought Alaska LNG project that would require construction of an 800-mile pipeline.

“We will maximize Alaska’s mining potential and we will ensure Alaska gets even more defense investment as we fully rebuild our military, especially as Russia and China are making menacing moves in the Pacific,” Trump said.

The video was posted on Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s X account on Friday.

In the video, Trump discussed his focus on developing Alaska’s resources in his first term, including signing the 2017 Tax Act with the provision that allowed oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

[Murkowski, a vocal Trump critic, vows to work with him to advance Alaska interests]

The Biden administration this week took another step toward holding a congressionally required oil lease sale in the refuge. However, Biden’s Interior Department said it would auction only the minimum acreage required for the sale and place other limits on development, upsetting Alaska leaders.

Alaskans helped elect Trump, a Republican, on Tuesday. He has received 56% of the vote in Alaska. Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris has received 40% of the vote.

“Thank you to everyone, Alaska, and thank you to your great governor,” Trump said. “We’re gonna work together just like we have in the past. It was a very special relationship, Mike.”

Dunleavy has been subject to speculation that he may take a position in Trump’s cabinet. The governor said in his own video on social media after the election that he’s ready to work with Trump on Alaska issues, including resource development.

In his video, Dunleavy said he’s “already had discussions with the incoming president” about Alaska.

Trump, in his video Friday, said he has worked closely with Dunleavy before.

[Previous coverage: Alaska resource projects and landscapes are again in the crosshairs of a presidential election]

“During my first term, I worked with the governor very closely to ensure Alaska could take advantage of every opportunity to explore, develop its tremendous resources, to maximize its potential, to create jobs and bring wealth and health and opportunity to Alaska,” Trump said. “We did more for Alaska than any administration by far in history.”

“We opened ANWR for energy development, worked on reopening Tongass National Forest and as a multiphase working forest,” Trump said.

“It’s something really special,” Trump said. “Signed a presidential permit for a future railroad from Alaska through Canada and got all of the permits needed for the Alaska gas line project.”

Whether the video is special for Alaska, or part of a series of videos for other states, is unclear.

Dunleavy spokesman Jeff Turner on Friday said he did not know how the video came about. He referred questions about the video to the Trump campaign, which did not immediately respond to questions.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.