Former UK Prime Minister Theresa May delivered a sharp critique of Donald Trump’s stance on climate change during a keynote speech at The Independent’s Climate 100 event in New York. Although she didn’t mention the former US president by name, it was clear that her comments were directed at Trump, who is campaigning for re-election and has consistently dismissed the climate crisis.
Speaking to a global audience on Wednesday, May highlighted the growing divide in the US over environmental policy, particularly in the context of the upcoming presidential election. She warned of the dangers posed by climate change deniers and their influence on global efforts to combat the crisis.
“Here in the United States, action on climate change is already a feature of the upcoming presidential election, with one of the two main candidates promising to repeal recent climate legislation and ramp up drilling for fossil fuels,” May said. “It’s a position arising partly from a long-held conspiracy theory that climate change is a ‘hoax.’”
Trump’s History of Climate Change Denial
Though she never mentioned Trump by name, May’s comments were clearly a rebuke of his long-standing opposition to climate action. Trump has frequently labelled climate change a “hoax” and “mythical.” In 2020, he criticised green activists as “alarmists” who seek to “control every aspect of our lives.” Despite occasionally acknowledging climate change as a “serious subject,” his rhetoric has often fuelled climate scepticism.
May and Trump famously clashed during their time in office. From awkward public appearances, including their infamous hand-holding photo at the White House in 2017, to open disagreements on policy, the two leaders never fully saw eye to eye. May’s remarks at the climate event reignited that tension, especially as Trump continues to dismiss environmental concerns in his latest campaign.
May’s Broader Critique of Right-Wing Climate Opposition
While May took a clear swipe at Trump, her speech also addressed the growing politicisation of climate change, both in the US and the UK. She expressed concern about the increasing attacks on climate policies, particularly from far-right political figures and parties.
“Despite the opportunities ahead of us, our aspirations of transitioning our economies towards sustainability are increasingly under attack – particularly in Western democracies,” May said. She noted how critics often dismiss those advocating for net zero targets as “fanatics and zealots” and warned that this rhetoric threatens to deepen societal divisions.
May specifically mentioned the role of Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, a vocal ally of Trump, in politicising climate change in Britain. She pointed to how the party campaigned against the UK’s net zero objectives in the recent general election, framing climate action as a burden that would harm jobs and livelihoods.
“In my own country, climate change has become politicised by some on the right of British politics,” May said. “We saw in the recent general election how the Reform party campaigned on a platform of opposing the UK’s climate objectives.”
A Call for Climate Action
In her speech, May made it clear that climate change should not be a political football. She urged governments and leaders to prioritise sustainability and green policies, reminding the audience that the future of the planet depends on urgent action.
Theresa May’s remarks were a powerful reminder of the global urgency surrounding climate change and a direct challenge to those who continue to downplay its significance. As Trump gears up for another presidential bid, her comments serve as a sharp rebuke of his climate record, setting the stage for what could be a contentious debate over the future of environmental policy on both sides of the Atlantic.
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