Trump Revives Electric Boat, Shark Grievances Amid Criticisms
The former president recounted a familiar hypothetical scenario involving electrocution and sharks, drawing mockery from critics.
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday revived two of his long-standing and unusual grievances – electric power and sharks – while recounting a story about a conversation with a boat company owner. Trump posed a hypothetical scenario: if in an electric boat taking on water, would he choose electrocution or swimming with sharks five yards away? He stated he would choose electrocution.
This anecdote is a recurring theme for Trump, who previously shared versions of it during his 2024 presidential campaign and also in 2023. He has expressed a desire to "drive the press crazy" with such narratives. His comments also touch on his known aversion to renewable energy technologies like electric cars and wind turbines, as well as a strong dislike for sharks.
In 2020, Trump admitted, "I’m not a big fan of sharks," and shared that he declines to donate to charities focused on shark conservation. This sentiment was echoed in 2011 by Stormy Daniels, who told In Touch Weekly that Trump was "terrified of sharks" and hoped they would all die. Trump's comments on Thursday also touched on speed restrictions for boats, which he indicated he plans to reverse, deriding regulations intended to protect sea life, including sharks.
His remarks drew criticism and mockery from various commentators. Some critics derided the repetition of these specific grievances, with one calling him "a crazy old man obsessed with the same mad issues." Another suggested the comments indicated a "serious problem," while a third criticized his focus on hypothetical scenarios amidst economic concerns. The recurring nature of these stories, alongside other past anecdotes he has shared, was also noted by critics.
Technically, the risk of electrocution on a boat is not limited to electric-powered vessels. According to the Boat Owners Association of the United States, electric shock drowning can occur on gas-powered boats as well, often due to faulty wiring and onboard batteries, leading to injuries and fatalities. Trump's narrative implies a misunderstanding of this broader safety issue.