How Sincere is Trump’s Sudden Environmental Concern in Europe?

During a recent visit to Europe, former U.S. President Donald Trump reignited his war
on wind energy, calling on European nations to “stop the windmills,” claiming they are
ruining landscapes, killing birds, and threatening the continent’s future. “You fly over and
you see these windmills all over the place, ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and
killing your birds,” he said. He added a dire warning on immigration: “You better get your
act together. You’re not going to have Europe anymore.

“Trump’s remarks have drawn both criticism and curiosity, especially as they appear to
reflect a sudden concern for the environment, something conspicuously absent during
his presidency. From 2017 to 2021, Trump repeatedly dismissed climate science,
withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, and rolled back over 100
environmental regulations. He famously called climate change a “hoax” invented by
China and praised fossil fuels while mocking renewable energy.

So, has Trump had a green epiphany? Experts say not likely.

Trump’s disdain for wind energy is longstanding. As far back as the early 2010s, he
opposed offshore wind farms near his golf course in Scotland, citing aesthetic damage
and reduced property values. His environmental concern has consistently been more
about visual displeasure and property interests than ecological balance. His latest
comments seem to continue that trend.

As for wind turbines “killing birds,” the claim is partially true but misleading. According to
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wind turbines do cause some bird deaths, but far
fewer than buildings, power lines, or fossil fuel power plants. Moreover, the shift to wind
energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, arguably the greatest long-term threat
to birds and biodiversity globally.

And contrary to Trump’s assertions, wind energy is a key pillar in global climate action.
Europe, particularly countries like Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, has
invested heavily in wind as a cleaner alternative to coal and gas. Experts stress that
wind farms, when properly sited and regulated, are crucial in the transition to
sustainable energy.

Trump’s remarks appear to be part of his populist messaging playbook, combining
nationalism, anti-immigration rhetoric, and disdain for liberal environmental policy.
Whether his audience sees these remarks as genuine concern or political posturing
remains to be seen but climate scientists are unlikely to be convinced.