Trump and CPAC 2025: A Rally Against Climate Policy and Climate Science
At CPAC 2025, President Trump and conservative figures, including Elon Musk, reinforced a pro-fossil fuel agenda by criticizing climate policies and promoting deregulation. Trump falsely claimed achievements regarding climate legislation and emphasized energy dominance, reflecting a departure from science-based discussions on climate change. Prominent speakers, including former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, echoed similar sentiments. Amidst shifting political dynamics, the conference showcased a radicalization of conservative views on environmental policies.
In February 2025, soon after President Donald Trump took office, American and international conservatives gathered at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington, D.C. They expressed their allegiance to Trump, billionaire Elon Musk, and their agenda favoring the deregulation of fossil fuels. The event featured prominent right-wing figures, including Vice President JD Vance and ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon, culminating in a speech by Trump who critiqued climate policies.
In his speech, Trump proudly recounted withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, labeling it as a disastrous one-sided deal. He also denounced the Green New Deal as a “scam” and misleadingly asserted he had rolled back non-existent electric vehicle mandates from the Biden administration. His comments reflected a lack of substantial policy knowledge, focusing instead on inflammatory rhetoric and baseless claims regarding hydrogen cars.
CPAC’s environment discussions this year shifted from scientific claims made by past speakers to outright anti-climate sentiment with minimal factual basis. Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss echoed similar disdain for net-zero policies, asserting they led to high energy prices and criticized the revival of a fracking ban imposed by her successor. She emphasized the need for significant legislative rollbacks to restore former policies.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright advocated for Trump’s energy-centric strategy, promising to eliminate regulatory barriers to boost fossil fuel production. Wright discussed AI’s substantial energy demands and articulated the need for the U.S. to maintain superiority in AI technology over China, citing its implications for national security. His remarks highlighted the extensive financial support the tech industry has provided to Trump’s campaign.
At CPAC, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy aimed to transition from governing to a presidential role, evidenced by advertisements portraying him in collaboration with Trump on energy projects. He introduced the controversial $44 billion liquefied natural gas pipeline, designed primarily for Asian markets rather than domestic use, as a solution to U.S. energy challenges.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum reinforced Trump’s commitment to exploiting public lands for energy development, claiming this would alleviate trade deficits. He will lead a new council focusing on energy dominance, targeting a reduction in regulatory barriers. This agenda underscores the administration’s strategic focus on energy production to align with economic interests and national objectives.
CFACT, a lone climate-focused group at CPAC, advocated skepticism regarding the climate narrative. The group’s representative, Nate Meyers, expressed a need for alternative views within academia, lamenting the dominance of leftist perspectives at universities. CFACT’s funding sources remained vague, although its history suggests affiliations with well-known right-wing financial backers.
The CPAC 2025 conference exhibited a pronounced emphasis on pro-fossil fuel narratives and skepticism towards climate policies. President Trump and other prominent speakers decried environmental regulations while advocating for energy production without scientific scrutiny. The gathering reflected a shift in conservative climate discourse, minimizing critical scientific engagement. Ultimately, this highlights the ongoing ideological battle surrounding climate policy amidst broader political ambitions.
Original Source: www.desmog.com
