Trump calls climate change threat to public health "a scam" but scientific findings show otherwise

February 14, 2026 - 02:09

In a move that starkly contrasts with established environmental science, the former president has publicly reiterated his characterization of climate change as a public health threat being "a scam." This statement directly challenges decades of peer-reviewed research from agencies worldwide, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The comments align with a significant administrative action this week, which formally reversed a 2009 scientific determination known as the "endangerment finding." That foundational finding, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, concluded that greenhouse gases pose a danger to public health and welfare by contributing to long-lasting climate changes. The reversal removes a key legal pillar for regulating carbon emissions from vehicles and power plants.

Public health organizations have consistently warned that climate change exacerbates a wide range of health issues. Scientists link warming temperatures to increased heat-related illnesses, more severe allergic reactions from longer pollen seasons, and the expanded range of infectious diseases. Furthermore, more intense wildfires and storms directly impact respiratory health and cause injuries.

The disconnect between this political stance and the scientific community remains profound, leaving a major policy shift in place that critics argue ignores the tangible health consequences documented by researchers across the globe.