Former President Donald Trump has pledged to pause the approval of offshore wind turbine construction leases, citing concerns about their environmental impact, including potential harm to the endangered Atlantic right whale. Michael Shellenberger, founder of Environmental Progress, expressed support for the move, stating, “It’s incredible to watch Republicans steal the save-the-whales issue from Democrats,” on X.

Research from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution suggests that the installation of wind turbine foundations—often involving pile driving—produces loud underwater noise, which can stress whales, alter their behavior, or even damage their hearing.

During a 2024 campaign rally in New Jersey, Trump reiterated his opposition to wind turbines, calling them harmful, costly, and unsightly. “Windmills are causing whales to die in numbers never seen before,” he said. “The windmills are driving them crazy. They’re driving the whales, I think, a little batty.”

Trump’s promise to “end offshore wind on day one” of his presidency aligns with his broader energy policies, which prioritize fossil fuels over renewable energy. While some environmentalists and renewable energy advocates have criticized his stance as politically motivated and lacking scientific backing, Trump’s rhetoric continues to appeal to critics of wind energy.

Pundits note that the issue has reignited debates around the balance between environmental conservation and renewable energy expansion.