Why Does Trump Hate Wind Energy?

President Donald Trump has long championed the idea of America as an energy superpower, embracing a wide range of energy sources. From fossil fuels like oil, gas, and 'clean coal' to nuclear, solar, and hydro, he has praised energy diversity as key to economic growth and national strength.

Wind energy presents an abundance of opportunities, both offshore and on land, with the U.S. having vast untapped potential for harnessing this renewable resource. Coastal areas like the Northeast, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as large swathes of open land in the Midwest, are seen as prime spots for wind energy development. Despite these vast opportunities, Trump has consistently voiced strong opposition to wind power, citing environmental, economic, and wildlife concerns. Here are his most prominent criticisms and the reasons behind his strong stance.

1. Environmental, Visual, and Decommissioning Concerns

Trump has repeatedly described wind turbines as “garbage in a field,” claiming they ruin the landscape and eventually degrade into waste. He highlighted the difficulty of recycling turbine components due to environmental regulations. Additionally, he criticized the cost and challenges of decommissioning aging turbines, pointing to abandoned and derelict wind farms in Palm Springs as an example of what he calls “rotting towers left behind.”

2. Economic and Efficiency Issues

Trump has called wind energy “the most expensive energy,” arguing that it relies on “massive subsidies” from the government to remain competitive. He believes these financial supports make the industry unsustainable in the long term. Additionally, Trump has criticized the intermittent nature of wind power, claiming it is unreliable and ill-suited to meet America’s energy demands consistently. Instead, he advocates for natural gas, which he describes as a more dependable, cost-effective alternative.

3. Wildlife Impact

Trump expressed concerns about the impact of wind farms on wildlife. He stated that wind turbines kill birds, including eagles and other large species, and linked offshore wind projects to increased whale strandings, particularly in Massachusetts. He has claimed that offshore turbines are “driving the whales crazy” and warned that as wind energy expands, its harm to wildlife will only worsen.