▲ U.S. President Donald Trump and Senator Dan Sullivan
"All of these energy projects are my achievement, and I accomplished this working with Dan Sullivan."
U.S. President Donald Trump on September 30 (local time) actively used an event announcing South Korea's massive investment plan in the United States as a stage to boost Republican Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, who is running for a third term in the November midterm elections.
Although South Korea's investment was the core topic, no South Korean government or corporate officials attended the event held in the White House Oval Office.
Instead, the seats were filled with Republican politicians from Alaska, including Senator Sullivan, Federal Representative Nick Begich, and Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, along with U.S. government figures such as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
President Trump highlighted Senator Sullivan's role while introducing the Alaska liquefied natural gas (LNG) project among South Korea's U.S. investment projects.
President Trump stated, "This project alone will be one of the largest energy projects in American history and a tremendous victory for the people of Alaska."
He emphasized that the Alaska LNG project is "one of the biggest energy projects in U.S. history" and will create 12,000 construction jobs and 1,000 operational jobs.
He went on to praise Senator Sullivan, calling him "a great senator who is entirely responsible for this pipeline and the projects we have underway and the numerous jobs we have created."
He also noted, "I have listened to his advice on Alaska issues for a long time. He is a great senator not only for Alaska, but for our country and the world."
He even brought up the fact that a candidate with the same name as Senator Sullivan is running in the election, emphasizing Senator Sullivan's middle initial, "S."
President Trump asserted, "You should not confuse Dan S. Sullivan with anyone else. They put up a fake Sullivan."
In the Alaska Senate race, Senator Sullivan and a retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan, who shares the same name, both advanced to the general election.
While Republicans have claimed that the candidate was put forward by Democrats seeking to cause voter confusion, the individual in question has denied this.
After finishing his remarks, President Trump handed the microphone first to Senator Sullivan.
Subsequently, Secretary Lutnick, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Governor Dunleavy, and Representative Begich spoke in turn.
Senator Sullivan remarked, "By far the most important project in our state, it will allow our children and grandchildren to stay in Alaska and enjoy a bright and wonderful future."
The event was held with about a month left until the midterm elections, as Republicans make an all-out effort to defend their Senate seat in Alaska.
Although it was an event announcing South Korea's investment plan in the U.S., not a single South Korean official attended, and there were no conventional expressions of gratitude toward South Korea.
The weight of the event seemed to lean more toward the achievements of the Alaska LNG project and Senator Sullivan's election campaign rather than South Korea's stance as the investing party or specific investment plans.
In particular, as President Trump directly mentioned Senator Sullivan's rival candidate sharing the same name to lend momentum to the election race, critics point out that the event felt closer to being utilized as a stage for U.S. domestic politics.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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