During a discussion on Irish reunification, former President Donald Trump veered into a lengthy critique of wind turbines, a topic he has frequently criticized for decades. When asked about the position of British Prime Minister Andy Burnham regarding a referendum on Irish unity, Trump initially suggested that such an event would occur eventually.
However, Trump then pivoted sharply, asserting that Burnham would halt the construction of "stupid windmills." He continued to express his opposition to wind turbines, stating, "If you have a windmill near your house, your house is practically valueless." He praised Ireland for having fewer windmills than Scotland and questioned the disposal of their components.
Trump's antipathy towards wind turbines dates back at least two decades to the construction of an offshore wind farm near his golf resort in Scotland. He unsuccessfully sued to block the project, citing concerns that it would spoil the view from his property. Since returning to office, Trump has taken actions to halt wind projects, including pausing an 80% complete offshore wind project and compensating a French company to abandon leases for two other projects.
Throughout his public career, Trump has made numerous critical statements about wind power. He has described turbines as "ugly as hell," claimed they drive whales "crazy," stated "the wind is bullshit," and asserted that windmills cause cancer. His recent comments on the matter drew criticism from observers who noted his tendency to connect unrelated issues and his persistent focus on his long-standing grievances.