President Donald Trump declared this week that his administration will no longer approve any new wind energy developments, calling windmills a “scenic disaster” and “bullshit” during a speech Thursday. The announcement marks a sharp escalation in his opposition to wind power, which he says blights the American landscape and relies on unsustainable subsidies.
“We’re not going to let windmills get built because we’re not going to destroy our country any further than it’s already been destroyed,” Trump said. He described the turbines as “garbage” defacing the nation’s plains and valleys, signaling that his administration is moving from a temporary moratorium to a more permanent policy of rejection.
The statement comes as Trump prepares to overturn California’s plan to ban gas-powered vehicles in favor of electric ones. It also builds on his prior efforts to restrict offshore wind farms and eliminate subsidies for renewable energy. Since taking office in January, President Trump has consistently criticized wind turbines for their visual impact, their effect on wildlife, and their economic inefficiency.
On January 20, Trump signed an executive order halting all new wind energy approvals pending a federal review. The order called for a study of the costs and environmental impact of both onshore and offshore wind projects, particularly their effect on birds and marine life. Thursday’s comments suggest Trump may not wait for that review before taking further action.
Trump has long opposed wind energy. During his first term, he criticized wind farms near his golf property in Scotland and questioned their reliability without government subsidies. He has also linked wind turbines to bird deaths and more recently to harm against marine mammals, including whales.
Despite Trump’s strong opposition, wind energy remains a significant source of U.S. power, accounting for 10% of the nation’s electricity generation in 2023, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Projects operate in 41 states, but under Trump’s leadership, future expansion now faces significant federal roadblocks.
