Trump’s 2025 CPAC: A Showcase of Anti-Climate Narratives and Fossil Fuel Advocacy
The CPAC 2025 featured prominent conservatives, led by Trump, focusing on dismantling climate protections and promoting fossil fuel deregulation. Attendees, including Liz Truss and Chris Wright, echoed themes of economic growth and competition against China, while CFACT stood out in advocating for conservative perspectives on climate issues. The overall discourse marked a notable absence of scientific engagement.
The 2025 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) convened in mid-February, attracting a host of prominent conservative figures including President Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Vice President JD Vance, all advocating for fossil fuel deregulation. During the event, Trump criticized the Paris Agreement, labeling it a “disaster” and dismissed the Green New Deal as the “Green New Scam,” claiming it resulted in astronomical costs without tangible benefits.
In Trump’s address, he reiterated his stance against non-existent electric vehicle mandates from the Biden administration, stating that Americans are free to purchase any vehicle except hydrogen-powered cars, humorously insinuating the dangers associated with them. The lack of scientific discussion pertaining to climate policies marked a significant deviation from previous years at CPAC, where data and graphs had been featured.
Former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss joined the discussions, vocally opposing the reinstatement of the fracking ban during her short tenure, which she claimed adversely impacted the UK’s oil and gas industry. She expressed the need for a restoration bill to repeal several legislative acts that she believes harmed Britain’s economic standing.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright advocated for the removal of regulations impeding energy production and criticized the Biden administration’s policies. He further connected the future energy demands of artificial intelligence to national benefits. They asserted that America must not fall behind in AI advancements, especially in competition against China.
Simultaneously, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy garnered attention with his campaign-like presentations at CPAC as he aspires to transition from state politics to potentially competing for a Senate seat. Dunleavy touted Alaska’s resources as solutions to national challenges, notably energy requirements.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum was also present, outlining plans to exploit public lands to address trade deficits. He envisions these energy initiatives potentially leading to recognition such as the Nobel Prize for Trump.
The exhibit hall featured CFACT, the only group emphasizing climate issues within CPAC, led by Nate Myers who debunked the established consensus on climate change. CFACT aims to establish conservative dialogue on college campuses as a counter to perceived dominance by leftist ideologies. Their funding remains a mixture of grassroots support and occasional larger contributions, with Myers refraining from classifying any of it as coming from Koch networks.
As CPAC continues to evolve in its representation of climate discourse, it remains an emblem of conservative political action, largely focused on fossil fuel advocacy without regard for scientific consensus.
The 2025 CPAC highlighted a pronounced commitment from conservative leaders, including Donald Trump, to oppose current climate policies and to promote fossil fuel deregulation. Speeches underscored a lack of scientific discussion as previously seen, leaning heavily into anti-climate rhetoric. Figures like Liz Truss and Chris Wright echoed sentiments about economic competition through energy production, while CFACT emerged as the singular voice focused on climate in an overwhelmingly pro-fossil fuel narrative. This event illustrates the shift toward a more unified conservative agenda surrounding energy and climate issues, often dismissive of scientific consensus surrounding climate change.
Original Source: whowhatwhy.org
