Exxon calls ‘children’ ad campaign ‘offensive’

Exxon Mobil Corp. is pushing back against a new ad campaign from two left-wing groups that allege the oil giant hates children.

“The campaign is offensive to the thousands of ExxonMobil employees and contractors who work hard every day to deliver an essential product in a safe and environmentally responsible way,” the company said in a statement Wednesday.

Exxon is responding to Oil Change International and The Other 98%, which are raising money to purchase air time for an ad that features a faux company official claiming “Here at Exxon, we hate your children.”

The ad claims that the company puts profits above action on dangerous climate change. It’s part of a wider campaign by activists against tax incentives and other federal support for fossil fuel production.

“Energy use and climate change are critically important challenges facing society that won’t be resolved with media campaigns that rely on provocative language and false allegations,” Exxon said.

The company and oil industry more broadly are battling proposals to end tax deductions, arguing the efforts unfairly single out the industry for punishment and would stymie energy development.

Oil industry critics say that the tax code should not reward fossil fuel development at a time when scientists are increasingly sounding the alarm about runaway global warming.

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