Former President Donald Trump has recently joined the right-wing crusade against offshore wind, making baseless claims about the industry causing whale deaths along the East Coast. During a campaign speech in South Carolina, Trump declared, “Their windmills are causing whales to die in unprecedented numbers. The windmills are driving them crazy, making the whales a little batty.”
While it is true that wind development, like any other offshore activity, can have negative effects on the ocean environment and disrupt marine life, there is no substantial evidence connecting offshore wind to mass whale deaths. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states on its website that there is no scientific proof that offshore wind site surveys cause whale mortality.
Anti-wind proponents often conflate the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale with recent humpback whale strandings, a phenomenon classified as an “unusual mortality event” since 2016. While vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and climate change pose significant threats to whale populations, there is no definitive link between offshore wind and these deaths.
Ironically, Trump’s remarks were part of a broader attack on the Biden administration’s proposed expansion of vessel speed limits and seasonal speed zones along the East Coast. These measures aim to protect the North Atlantic right whale, which is on the brink of extinction. Trump dismissed the need for vessel speed reductions and made exaggerated claims like, “You have a better chance of being struck by lightning than hitting a whale with your boat.”
It is essential to recognize the pipeline of misinformation flowing between conservative groups, right-wing media, and GOP lawmakers. Anti-offshore wind organizations and climate change denial groups have portrayed themselves as defenders of the endangered right whale while spreading unfounded claims about offshore wind’s impact on whale populations.
In conclusion, while offshore wind development does carry environmental risks, there is no credible evidence linking it to whale deaths. The focus should remain on addressing the real threats to marine life, such as vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglement.
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