Newly reviewed video, debate remarks and social media posts show the gubernatorial candidate repeatedly criticized the UAE-backed aluminum smelter project before embracing it just hours before receiving President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei called the proposed aluminum smelter in Inola a “billion dollar scam” in January, questioned why Oklahoma was providing hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives to its United Arab Emirates-based developer in March, then publicly embraced the project in May just hours before receiving President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
The timeline, documented through videos, debate footage and social media posts, reveals one of the clearest policy reversals of Oklahoma’s 2026 governor’s race and places Mazzei at the center of a growing political fight over one of the state’s largest economic development projects.
In a Jan. 29 video posted to his Facebook page, Mazzei sharply criticized the incentive package approved for the proposed aluminum smelter being developed by Emirates Global Aluminum.
“Because if you stay connected to real, everyday people in the small business universe, you won’t vote for the billion-dollar scam, in my opinion, for an aluminum plant owned by the United Arab Emirates,” Mazzei said.
Mazzei’s Jan. 29 Facebook Video
The remarks came months before Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a lawsuit seeking to block the project and before the smelter became a major issue in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Mazzei’s criticism continued two months later.
During a March 30 gubernatorial debate, Mazzei specifically questioned the state’s incentive package for the project while criticizing economic development subsidies for foreign-owned companies.
“Why in the world are we giving hundreds of millions of dollars to a company owned by the United Arab Emirates?” Mazzei asked.
He argued Oklahoma should focus on supporting existing businesses rather than providing large taxpayer-backed incentives to foreign corporations.
The March comments demonstrated that Mazzei’s opposition to the project remained intact well into the gubernatorial campaign.
But less than two months later, his position changed.
On May 29, Mazzei published a Facebook post supporting the Inola smelter project and linking his position to Trump’s support for the development.
“President Trump supports the aluminum smelter project because it strengthens America’s manufacturing base and national security,” Mazzei wrote.
The statement marked a dramatic departure from Mazzei’s earlier characterization of the project as a “billion dollar scam.”
A few hours later, Trump announced his endorsement of Mazzei’s campaign for governor.
Trump’s endorsement on Truth Social
The progression is difficult to miss: In January, Mazzei called the project a “billion dollar scam.” In March, he questioned why Oklahoma was providing “hundreds of millions of dollars” to a company owned by the United Arab Emirates. By May, he was publicly supporting the development and citing Trump’s backing for the project.
The timing of the shift has drawn additional scrutiny because Mazzei’s campaign has paid at least $67,500 to a Florida political consulting firm linked to longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone, according to campaign finance records previously reviewed by OK Politics Today.
Related: Roger Stone-linked firm received $67,500 from Mazzei campaign before Trump endorsement, records show
No evidence has emerged showing Stone influenced Mazzei’s position on the smelter project or that Trump’s endorsement was conditioned on Mazzei’s support for the development.
Still, Mazzei’s public embrace of the project came after months of criticism and immediately before Trump announced his endorsement.
The proposed smelter remains the subject of a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who argues the incentive package violates Oklahoma law and improperly commits taxpayer resources. Supporters of the project contend it would create jobs and strengthen domestic aluminum production.
Related coverage:
Drummond seeks to block Inola smelter, deepening split with Mazzei
Stitt links Drummond smelter lawsuit to Trump’s endorsement of Mazzei
Mazzei’s support for Inola smelter raises questions
Mazzei criticized smelter project before later linking support to Trump, newly reviewed debate remarks show
Mazzei’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment seeking an explanation for the change in position.
If a response is received, this story will be updated.
