During a press conference on Sunday, President Donald Trump made a bold statement about wind energy in the United States. He declared that under his administration, no wind turbines would be constructed. Trump criticized wind energy for being inefficient and harmful to the environment, emphasizing that most turbines are manufactured in China, a country he views as a major geopolitical rival.
Trump’s comments came while he was in Scotland, where he had just played golf at his Turnberry Golf Club. He expressed frustration upon seeing a cluster of wind turbines that he felt spoiled the beautiful landscape. "They’re killing us. They’re killing the beauty of our scenery, our valleys, our beautiful plains,” he told reporters. He described wind energy as the "most expensive form of energy" and claimed it requires government subsidies to be viable, which he believes is unacceptable.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was present during Trump’s remarks. She has been a strong advocate for renewable energy in Europe, particularly in Germany, where energy prices have surged due to the country’s shift towards renewables. Trump, however, pointed to Germany’s experience with wind energy as a cautionary tale, arguing that it has not been successful without financial support from the government.
He went further to label environmentalists who promote wind energy as "hacks." His disdain for wind turbines isn’t new; it dates back over a decade to his opposition against a wind farm near his golf course in Scotland. In 2011, he famously wrote to Scotland’s First Minister, criticizing plans for wind turbines that he claimed would mar the coastline’s beauty.
As the debate over renewable energy continues, Trump’s strong stance against wind power highlights a significant divide in opinions on energy sources and environmental policies in the U.S. and abroad.
