During a fiery address at the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump unleashed a scathing critique against climate change, labeling it the “greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.” He further asserted that the scientific understanding of global warming was merely a fabrication by “stupid people,” while simultaneously admonishing nations, including key U.S. allies, for embracing renewable energy solutions.
This extraordinary tirade starkly overlooked the immense human suffering caused by escalating heatwaves, devastating wildfires, and catastrophic floods—all phenomena exacerbated by the burning of fossil fuels. His stance also stood in direct opposition to the rapid, worldwide adoption of renewable energy technologies.
Focusing on two specific targets—demonizing immigrants and green energy—President Trump dramatically portrayed them as a “double-tailed monster” allegedly “destroying” Europe, a claim made without any supporting evidence. While these topics resonate strongly with his Republican base, delivering such a contentious message to an international audience was truly remarkable.
He proclaimed, “You need strong borders and traditional energy sources if you’re going to be great again.” Expressing concern for European nations, he added, “I worry about Europe, I love the people of Europe. I hate to see it being devastated by energy and immigration.”
These attacks on clean energy appear to be part of a broader White House strategy to undermine the European Union’s legally binding commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to fuel a political backlash against Europe’s advancements in clean energy.
Despite his rhetoric, independent energy analysts consistently report that wind and solar power are among the most cost-effective energy sources globally, with worldwide investments in renewables now surpassing those in coal, oil, and gas.
Gina McCarthy, who previously served as the United States climate policy director during the Biden administration, issued a statement condemning the president’s actions: “Trump continues to embarrass the U.S. on the global stage and undermine the interests of Americans at home. He’s rejecting our government’s responsibility to protect Americans from the increasingly intense and frequent disasters linked to climate change that unleash havoc on our country.”
Requests for comment regarding the president’s controversial remarks were not immediately addressed by the White House.
Early in his presidency, Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement, making it the only nation among nearly 200 to abandon the voluntary pact aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions. His administration has also consistently hindered renewable energy initiatives, eliminated federal incentives for wind and solar power, scrubbed climate-science data from government websites, and commissioned a report to downplay the severe consequences of climate change.
Conversely, European lawmakers champion the expansion of clean energy as a vital strategy for achieving energy security and reducing reliance on imported oil and gas. Yet, Mr. Trump has actively pressured Europeans to increase their purchases of U.S. oil and gas. The administration even secured a commitment from the European Union to buy $250 billion in American energy annually for the remainder of his term, in exchange for certain tariff relief.
The United States currently stands as the world’s leading exporter of natural gas and the largest producer of oil, with the Trump administration actively promoting further development. Furthermore, Mr. Trump has signed executive orders to boost the burning and mining of coal, widely recognized as the most environmentally damaging fossil fuel.
Overwhelming scientific consensus confirms that the combustion of coal, oil, and gas has led to a global average temperature increase of more than 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, intensifying deadly heatwaves, widespread fires, and destructive floods.
In his speech, he reiterated his characterization of global warming as “the greatest con job ever perpetrated,” criticizing world leaders for adhering to international agreements designed to limit global temperature rise and transition away from fossil fuels. This moment was particularly striking given that the United States bears the largest historical responsibility for global emissions since the Industrial Revolution.
He warned, “I’ve been right about everything and I’m telling you that if you don’t get away from the green energy scam, your country is going to fail.”
Mr. Trump also attacked environmentalists, falsely claiming they advocate for “killing all the cows.” While cattle do produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and some environmentalists encourage reduced meat consumption, there is no evidence to support his extreme assertion.
The speech extended for 56 minutes, significantly exceeding the typical 15-minute limit for remarks by world leaders at the General Assembly. During this time, he also criticized European nations, including Britain, where he had recently received a lavish welcome, for expanding their renewable energy infrastructure.
He specifically targeted Germany, claiming it “was being led down a very sick path both on immigration by the way and energy.”
Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s climate change envoy, countered that European countries view clean energy as essential for enhancing their energy security and fostering economic growth. She emphasized that building a robust Europe requires actively addressing climate change to prevent populations from being forced to abandon their homes.
Among his more prolonged tangents, Mr. Trump questioned the concept of a “carbon footprint,” which describes the varying amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, like carbon dioxide, produced by individuals or groups through their activities. He dismissed this widely accepted idea as “a hoax made up by people with evil intentions.”
Ironically, the term “carbon footprint” was originally popularized years ago by oil companies as part of a public relations and rebranding initiative.