# Did Trump actually halt the development of wind turbines "for national security reasons"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 4, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770 "2026-05-04T01:48:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/1 "2026-05-04T01:48:17Z")
As reported here: [Trump blocks wind farms on national security grounds](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/05/03/trump-blocks-wind-farms-national-security-grounds/) Is this just bad reporting, or did he actually do this? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/2 "2026-05-04T01:50:55Z")
From a [presidential action](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/temporary-withdrawal-of-all-areas-on-the-outer-continental-shelf-from-offshore-wind-leasing-and-review-of-the-federal-governments-leasing-and-permitting-practices-for-wind-projects/) of January 20, 2025, entitled “Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects” > Sec. 2. Temporary Cessation and Immediate Review of Federal Wind Leasing and Permitting Practices. (a) In light of various alleged legal deficiencies underlying the Federal Government’s leasing and permitting of onshore and offshore wind projects, the consequences of which may lead to grave harm — including negative impacts on navigational safety interests, transportation interests, national security interests, commercial interests, and marine mammals — and in light of potential inadequacies in various environmental reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act to lease or permit wind projects, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the heads of all other relevant agencies, shall not issue new or renewed approvals, rights of way, permits, leases, or loans for onshore or offshore wind projects pending the completion of a comprehensive assessment and review of Federal wind leasing and permitting practices. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/3 "2026-05-04T01:54:54Z")
The Telegraph may not be an outstanding newspaper, but I don’t it reasonable to expect headline perfection from any newspaper or web site. The headline assumes that Trump is sincere in his stated reasoning. But the story lead is accurate: > [@](#): > > Donald Trump has halted wind farm projects across the US, suggesting they are a threat to national security and the environment… Trump is not the only lying politician. I don’t think headline writers need to always include a caveat that the leader’s stated reasoning for something could be a different from their actual reason. That’s what the story is for. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/4 "2026-05-04T17:19:03Z")
Trump’s doing much worse than that. > **[Trump administration to pay 2 more companies to walk away from US offshore...](https://apnews.com/article/trump-offshore-wind-energy-climate-interior-02a1fa04b750809bbe035a70256c734d)** > > The Trump administration has announced two more payouts for energy companies to walk away from U.S. offshore wind projects under development. He’s doing it solely to get them to invest more in fossil fuels. If the OP’s question is purely about national security, there’s probably no doubt that in Trump’s brain national security means fossil fuels. But that’s a subset of national security meaning whatever Trump agrees with. It’s implied in every word and action and doesn’t need to be said. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/5 "2026-05-04T23:28:54Z")
We KNOW that he is in the pocket of coal and petroleum. It’s sick. The man does not need any more money. I, thank god, did get the solar EV tax refund. I pay zero for electricity. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/6 "2026-05-05T01:49:06Z")
From Today’s NY Times: The Trump administration is blocking more than 150 onshore wind farms across the United States by delaying military reviews that were once considered routine, according to a leading industry trade group. The delays, which companies said worsened significantly in recent weeks, are the latest escalation in President Trump’s efforts to stop wind power, a technology he detests. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/7 "2026-05-05T15:24:07Z")
The guy has a pathological hatred for wind power. Now it’s national securities, before it was whales and birds, as if he gives a fuck about birds. And don’t forget the interminable noise, and how they lower property values. Whatever excuse for demonizing them. Didn’t it start with turbines off the coast of one of his golf courses? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/8 "2026-05-05T16:00:37Z")
What if we put the windmills inside a ballroom? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/9 "2026-05-05T16:11:32Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > What if we put the windmills inside a ballroom? - It’s just the windmills of his mind. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/10 "2026-05-05T16:14:13Z")
There are cobwebs in the windmills of his mind. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/11 "2026-05-05T16:17:11Z")
Sure, stick 'em next to the plane on the treadmill. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/12 "2026-05-05T16:26:06Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Didn’t it start with turbines off the coast of one of his golf courses? Yes, his course in Scotland. Krugman has an [substack article](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/trump-is-losing-a-second-war) today about the explosion of green tech since the Strait has been closed and how we’re losing two wars – one in Iran and one for green energy. We’re using tax dollars to pay companies _not_ to build windmills. Anyway, Trump didn’t halt wind turbines for national security purposes, since that’s not an issue. However, he did use that excuse. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2026, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/13 "2026-05-05T16:27:37Z")
Windmills don’t work in absolute vacuum. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/14 "2026-05-06T11:21:20Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > The guy has a pathological hatred for wind power. Now it’s national securities, before it was whales and birds, as if he gives a fuck about birds. And don’t forget the interminable noise, and how they lower property values. Whatever excuse for demonizing them. Didn’t it start with turbines off the coast of one of his golf courses? Don’t forget, they cause cancer too. And if the wind isn’t blowing you can’t watch TV. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/15 "2026-05-09T17:56:06Z")
Maybe if someone put an oil platform in the ocean next to one of his golf courses, el donald would oppose offshore drilling. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/16 "2026-05-10T10:54:53Z")
Trump : “The oil gets wet and it’s not as good” ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/17 "2026-05-10T18:33:55Z")
Reminds me of his musings on magnets, but I can’t remember if he’s pro or anti magnet. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/18 "2026-05-10T18:39:42Z")
Don’t beat yourself up about it, Trump can’t remember either. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/19 "2026-05-10T18:41:44Z")
I want windmills just off shore of Mar-a-Lardo. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770/20 "2026-05-10T18:45:34Z")
How about leaking oil drilling platforms? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-actually-halt-the-development-of-wind-turbines-for-national-security-reasons/1029770.md?page=2)