Trump’s CPAC 2025: A Rally Against Climate Policy
The 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference featured a series of speeches by right-wing figures, including Donald Trump, where climate policy was actively denounced. Discussions emphasized deregulation in favor of fossil fuels, while speakers like Liz Truss and Chris Wright reinforced these viewpoints. The event indicated a shift towards anti-science rhetoric, with minimal substantive climate data presented.
The 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) featured prominent right-wing speakers, including President Donald Trump, advocating against climate policies. Notable figures such as Vice President JD Vance, Elon Musk, and ex-Trump aide Steve Bannon praised the fossil fuel agenda. Trump criticized the Paris Agreement and labeled the Green New Deal a “hoax,” claiming it harmed the U.S. economy. His speech lacked factual substance, notably misrepresenting the Biden administration’s electric vehicle policies, which imposed stricter pollution standards rather than mandating electric car ownership.
The conference’s environmental discussions differed from previous years, where scientific presentations were common. This year’s focus on anti-climate rhetoric lacked evidence-based discourse. Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss lamented the reinstatement of the fracking ban in the UK, blaming net-zero policies for high energy prices. She called for significant legislative repeals, aligning her views with Trump’s skepticism towards established governmental structures.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright echoed Trump’s pro-energy stance, promising to eliminate regulations on fossil fuels and appliances. His focus on economic competition with countries like China highlighted the burgeoning demand for energy in AI technology. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of a robust energy sector, reflecting ongoing GOP support for deregulation in favor of energy production.
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy’s advertisements at CPAC hinted at his political aspirations, possibly seeking a Senate position. He positioned Alaska as a prime resource solution for energy and reveled in a planned $44 billion pipeline project aimed at serving Asian markets.
In his address, Doug Burgum, Trump’s new Interior Secretary, vowed to exploit public lands for energy development. He claimed these efforts would enhance energy security and culminate in significant political accolades for Trump, such as a Nobel Prize.
The exhibit hall was primarily occupied by groups focusing on cultural issues, with CFACT being the only climate-focused organization. CFACT’s national field coordinator, Nate Myers, downplayed the scientific consensus on climate change, emphasizing the group’s aim to foster alternative viewpoints on college campuses. Though Myers distanced CFACT from big donor affiliations, the organization has previously received funding from prominent right-wing sources.
The 2025 CPAC showcased a significant shift towards strong opposition to climate policies within conservative circles, with speakers promoting deregulation and energy independence. Trump and other presenters articulated a vision prioritizing fossil fuels while dismissing climate science. The event also illustrated broader political ambitions among attendees, alongside rebuttals of mainstream climate stances, suggesting an ongoing commitment to amplify their agenda at the national level.
Original Source: whowhatwhy.org
