During a town hall event in Davenport, Iowa, hosted by Sean Hannity, former President Donald Trump vociferously expressed his long-held skepticism of climate change and targeted John Kerry, the presidential envoy for climate, The Huffpost writes.
Trump's comments came as John Kerry, a prominent figure in environmental diplomacy, announced U.S. collaboration with other governments to advance nuclear fusion as a new source of carbon-free energy. This initiative aims to replace traditional fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas with cleaner alternatives for powering vehicles and heating or cooling homes.
However, Trump dismissed these environmental concerns, stating, "The only global warming we should be thinking about or worrying about is nuclear global warming, not global warming."
This statement echoes his previous dismissals of the climate crisis and his focus on other issues he deems more critical.
An "idiot" and a "jerk"
Further, Trump critiqued Kerry's global discussions on climate change, suggesting that while Kerry might be treated with respect, people perceive him as an "idiot" and a "jerk" once he leaves. This personal attack on Kerry reflects Trump's broader opposition to the current environmental policies and discourse.
The town hall occurred amidst the United Nations climate summit (COP28) in Dubai, where controversy arose over comments by the event's leader, Sultan Al Jaber. Al Jaber's suggestion that phasing out fossil fuels is not scientifically necessary was countered by Kerry, who stressed the importance of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Trump also used the platform to criticize the Green New Deal, a set of proposals aimed at addressing climate change. He argued that such measures would "destroy our country" and maintained that the U.S. should continue using oil.
This stance directly opposes the views of many climate activists, experts, and leaders who advocate for transitioning away from fossil fuels.
In his closing remarks, Trump, claiming to be an environmentalist, expressed his opposition to the manufacturing of electric vehicles and the Green New Deal, emphasizing the wealth and power of traditional energy resources beneath U.S. soil.
Trump's remarks underscored his continuing denial of the climate crisis and his criticism of efforts to address global warming.
