The strategy behind Trump's climate catchphrase, the 'Green New Scam'

Grist
Grist
3M ago
Donald Trump introduced the term 'Green New Scam' during a campaign rally, aiming to discredit climate policies. This rhetoric matters as it reflects a broader strategy to reshape public perception of climate change.
The strategy behind Trump's climate catchphrase, the 'Green New Scam'
A What happened
During a campaign event in December 2023, Donald Trump coined the phrase 'Green New Scam' to attack President Biden's climate policies, which he labeled as wasteful and socialist. This phrase quickly gained traction, appearing in White House communications and among Republican lawmakers. Trump's administration has been noted for its efforts to eliminate climate-related language from federal discourse, advising employees to avoid terms like 'climate change' and 'green.' Additionally, the administration has dismantled scientific foundations supporting climate action, including dismissing experts and halting monitoring projects. This linguistic strategy aims to reshape public perception of climate change, aligning it with Trump's political agenda while fostering skepticism about climate science.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Language shapes reality: Trump's use of specific phrases aims to influence public perception of climate change.

  • 2

    Undermining climate science: The administration's actions include erasing climate data and dismissing experts.

  • 3

    Public skepticism: Despite Trump's rhetoric, a majority of Americans acknowledge climate change.

Takeaways

Trump's rhetoric and the administration's actions reflect a concerted effort to reshape the narrative around climate change, potentially impacting public understanding and policy direction.

Topics

World & Politics Policy & Regulation Climate & Environment Climate Change

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