Indian Billionaire Backs U.S. Refinery, Buys More Venezuelan Crude

“He's not wrong that nobody here has explained the hot dog. Meanwhile, the editor's angle is diversification: refinery projects here, crude from Venezuela.” — Lola Cruz, on air

On air: Hank Ledger on Europe Open
Published 3:52 AM ET, Thursday, October 8, 2026

At a glance

First reported by CNBC: “The Indian billionaire investing in Trump's refinery project is also buying more Venezuelan crude”.
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 3:52 AM ET on Europe Open, by Hank Ledger.
Topics: Venezuelan, Indian, Trump, US.
BBN covered this story before: Trump Says Plague Isn't Believed a Bioweapon, Per ABC (October 7).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

CNBCThe Indian billionaire investing in Trump's refinery project is also buying more Venezuelan crude

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorCNBC reports an Indian billionaire investing in a Trump-backed refinery project is also buying more Venezuelan crude. Lola Cruz is live at a gas station.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLola?
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentThanks, Hank. CNBC says that outside the U.S., India is the biggest destination for Venezuelan oil, and Reliance Industries buys the bulk of it.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentI'm at a gas station off the interstate.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentIt's almost four in the morning, and the only thing moving is a hot dog on a roller.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentThat hot dog has been rolling since Tuesday. I covered two wars, and this is the saddest thing I've ever seen. Sir, a moment!
Walt PrindleI just wanted a coffee and a bathroom. Why is there a camera in the bathroom line?
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentChevron and ConocoPhillips are the tickers tied to this story. Do you have any feelings about Venezuelan crude?
Walt PrindleLady, I have feelings about that hot dog. Whoever owns it is the real billionaire, and he's hiding it from the refinery.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentHe's not wrong that nobody here has explained the hot dog. Meanwhile, the editor's angle is diversification: refinery projects here, crude from Venezuela.
Lola Cruz · Senior Field CorrespondentA seagull just landed on the pump. We're a long way from Long Beach, so this is either a coincidence or a stalking.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThank you, Lola. Diversification is when you spread your money around so no single disaster ruins you. I own beans, so I wouldn't know.