Dr. Malcolm Tanner from Indiana has initiated a covert operation to acquire political influence in Loving County, Texas, by recruiting individuals from across the nation who will receive free homes and $5,000 monthly payments to become residents of the country’s smallest county, according to investigative reporting by the Houston Chronicle. The 64-resident county manages a $60 million annual budget derived from Permian Basin oil revenues, which generates approximately $1 million per resident, making it an appealing target for political takeover by organized groups.
Million-Dollar-Per-Resident Budget Creates Vulnerability
The Permian Basin oil boom has created Loving County’s remarkable wealth because it sits at the center of this oil-rich region, which now generates $60 million in annual budget compared to its previous $5 million yearly revenue. According to the Houston Chronicle investigation, Constable Brandon Jones stated that Loving County represents an ideal location for such a takeover. “It’s the chickens coming home to roost.”
The county’s unique situation yields an exceptional tax revenue situation, as oil and gas operations generate approximately $1 million in industrial property taxes for each resident, which could make Loving County the wealthiest county by population density in America. The combination of low population numbers and weak voter registration rules in Loving County makes it an easy target for political manipulation, according to Census data, which shows it remains Texas’s smallest county.
Social Media Campaign Promises Free Housing
The 244,000 Facebook followers and 70,000 TikTok followers of Dr. Malcolm Tanner allow him to recruit participants through his social media presence as an “entrepreneur, philanthropist, educator,” and “visionary leader.” Tanner announced in his July Facebook video that he would construct free homes for people who want to escape their rental payments, mortgage costs, and property tax expenses. The video received 2 million views, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The organization Melanated People of Power, under Tanner’s leadership, operates as a movement that focuses on delivering political and economic empowerment to marginalized communities. The source of funding for his large-scale promises remains unknown, as Eric Dexheimer from the Houston Chronicle observed only RVs and tent encampments, rather than built housing, during his site visit.
Harsh Reality vs. Social Media Promises
The living situation of new arrivals stands in complete contrast to Tanner’s social media marketing approach. The area lacks both a water supply and an electrical infrastructure. The living conditions at this settlement proved extremely difficult, as Dexheimer observed them firsthand during his visit to the area, which lies thirty minutes from Mentone through treacherous oil company roads.
The woman received information that she needed to buy a tent and a generator upon arrival, instead of the promised housing. The grocery stores in the area are one hour away from the settlement, and residents need to bring water from Kermit or Pecos because the local groundwater contains gypsum, which makes survival in the desert nearly impossible. The area attracted 30 to 36 people who registered to vote, but technical issues blocked most of them from completing the registration process.