President Donald Trump told world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly that climate change is “the greatest con job ever created” and a “scam.”
Speaking to over 150 leaders and officials, he said “stupid people created climate change” and urged nations to abandon green policies. “If you don’t get away from this green scam, your country will fail,” he warned.
Trump Rejects Scientific Consensus
Trump rejected decades of research on climate change. He accused the United Nations of making predictions “for bad reasons” and mocked the shift from “global warming” to “climate change.” He argued that the term lets scientists justify any outcome, whether hotter or colder.
He also called the idea of a carbon footprint a “hoax created by people with evil intentions.” He claimed they were leading the world “toward destruction.”
Climate Science Remains Clear
Research shows the planet is heating faster than at any time in history. Rising temperatures are driving stronger storms, longer droughts, and deadly heatwaves. The UNHCR says climate disasters displaced more than 220 million people in the last decade.
Trump pointed to a failed 1989 U.N. prediction that some nations would sink by 2000. But scientists stress that current climate impacts are real and already harming vulnerable communities.
Trump’s Record on Climate
Trump’s latest comments reflect his past actions. His administration issued a report that described climate change as “less damaging than believed.” Over 85 scientists rejected the report, saying officials cherry-picked facts to promote fossil fuels.
During his presidency, Trump pulled the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, closed a State Department climate office, and eased aircraft emission rules. At the UN, he defended his record, saying, “The United States has been taken advantage of by much of the world, but not anymore.”
Summit Context
The remarks came one day before the 2025 UN Climate Summit. Countries will present new climate action plans at the event, intensifying debate on America’s role under Trump’s influence.
