At a July 8, 2025 cabinet meeting, President Trump sharply criticized wind and solar energy as “stupid,” arguing they damage wildlife, spoil landscapes, steal farmland, and depend heavily on subsidies. He insisted that America should not follow “smart countries” in embracing these technologies.
Trump described wind turbines as dangerous to birds and visually blighting the environment, and labeled solar farms “very ugly” and inefficient. He added that solar panels, made from “black plastic from China,” occupy vast areas—up to 3 miles by 3 miles.
He emphasized that such projects are unreliable, unable to power plants consistently. Trump stressed his energy agenda favors “clean, beautiful coal,” natural gas, and traditional fossil fuels. He announced efforts to phase out green energy subsidies, citing reliance on Chinese manufacturing as an added concern.
Trump argued that solar and wind “hurt our country very badly,” and pledged to revive America’s energy independence through coal and gas, rather than intermittent green technologies. “It sounds so good … but it’s not,” he said.
