Rockefeller family members are beginning to speak out against the #ExxonKnew campaign, revealing a sharp divide within the family about the political targeting of oil and natural gas producer ExxonMobil. It’s also a devastating blow to the campaign, which has been flailing for some time.

On a segment that just aired this morning on CBS This Morning with Charlie Rose, Ariana Rockefeller said she disapproves of the #ExxonKnew crusade and a number of other anti-fossil fuel efforts. She told CBS:

“These family funds do not speak on behalf of all 200 family members.”

“I don’t think denouncing a family legacy is the best way to go about doing this.”

Ariana Rockefeller’s appearance on CBS comes just days after the New York Times reported her strong criticism of the Rockefeller Family Fund’s anti-Exxon campaign. She called it “deeply misguided” and “counterproductive to our goal of protecting the environment by undermining Exxon’s ongoing good work in clean and renewable energy.”

Background on Rockefellers: $4 Billion vs. $1 Billion

The divide within the family is notable because two foundations that carry the Rockefeller name have almost entirely bankrolled the #ExxonKnew campaign. These foundations – the Rockefeller Family Fund and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund – have paid for so-called investigative journalism, the development of the legal strategy used by a group of liberal state attorneys general, and political activism from anti-fossil groups.

Most news outlets to date, however, have incorrectly assumed the entire Rockefeller family unanimously supports the #ExxonKnew campaign. In reality, just two of the smaller, more left wing Rockefeller foundations are actually behind the campaign. These foundations, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund ($885 million in assets) and the Rockefeller Family Fund (View Full Article