A ‘Strategic Mistake of Colossal Proportions’: Why Trump Is Losing the War on Renewables
Poinews.com – Despite Donald Trump’s aggressive campaign against renewable energy, public support for clean power sources in the U.S. has grown significantly, challenging his policies. The President’s efforts to dominate the energy sector through fossil fuels face mounting opposition as clean energy gains traction.
Last year, Trump declared a National Energy Emergency, aiming to boost domestic fossil fuel production and promote his “drill, baby, drill” agenda. In February, he issued an executive order instructing the Department of Defense to prioritize coal-generated electricity, a move critics argue undermines efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources.
Trump has also leveraged public speeches to dismiss or cast doubt on renewable energy, making misleading assertions about its viability and benefits. At the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, he claimed China produces “almost all” of the world’s turbines, which he said are sold to “stupid people.” He further alleged that China doesn’t utilize wind energy domestically, despite possessing the planet’s largest wind farm, visible from space.
“Trump claimed China makes ‘almost all’ of the world’s turbines – only to ‘sell them to stupid people’.”
Previously, the Trump administration sought to halt a series of offshore wind initiatives, citing national security concerns. However, federal courts intervened, allowing developers to proceed with their projects. Recently, the Interior Department has begun repurchasing offshore wind leases, offering financial incentives to companies to divert funds toward fossil fuels or geothermal energy. As a result, eight offshore wind projects have been abandoned.
In March, French energy giant TotalEnergies was offered nearly $1 billion to invest in fossil fuels instead of offshore wind in North Carolina and New York. New York is currently litigating against the agreement. A recent Paris court decision mandated TotalEnergies to evaluate and report on the environmental impact of its fuel consumption within six months.
This week, California announced plans to sue the administration over its decision to terminate an offshore wind project near the state’s central coast. The state has heavily invested in offshore wind due to its potential to harness strong, consistent coastal winds for clean energy production. California’s Energy Commission Chair, David Hochschild, described the administration’s actions as a “strategic mistake of colossal proportions,” particularly as the Iran conflict has driven up global fossil fuel prices.
“David Hochschild, California’s Energy Commission Chair, called the administration’s tactics a ‘strategic mistake of colossal proportions’ especially since the war on Iran has spiked fossil fuel prices around the world.”
The “Big Beautiful Bill,” enacted in July 2025, eliminated the 30% residential solar tax credit nearly a decade early. Homeowners now face an average additional cost of $9,000 for solar installations. Yet, despite these financial barriers, solar adoption continues to rise. In May 2026, solar energy surpassed coal in the U.S. electricity mix for the first time on record, contributing a record 12.8% of total power generation.
“‘Solar generated an all-time high total of 45.5 TWh, exceeding output in May 2025 by 17 per cent and surpassing the previous record set in July last year,’ Ember states.”
Coal’s share dropped to its fourth-lowest monthly level, at 12.2%, according to energy think tank Ember. The organization anticipates the record may be surpassed again during the upcoming summer months. While total solar output typically peaks in June or July, its share of the electricity mix is often highest in April or May, when strong solar output coincides with more moderate demand before summer cooling needs increase.
Several solar firms in the U.S. have also told Euronews Earth that demand for rooftop panels is still rising despite financial deterrents. California-based firm SolarTech says its 2025 sales more than doubled compared to 2024 – while the trend continues.
