Trump's Views on Science Are Shockingly Ignorant

His statements show a disregard for science that is alarming in a candidate for high office

Steve Brodner

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

One of the major-party presidential candidates has had plenty to say during this year's campaign. But almost none of the words from Donald J. Trump have been about the importance of science and science literacy to the nation's economic growth, security and international prestige—as well as to the health and well-being of the American people and the future of the planet itself. Trump has, however, made statements about science over the years, many of them in the form of tweets. They betray his beliefs about scientific issues, so we are reprinting a selection of them here. We have not fact-checked them.

Climate Change

The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive. [SOURCE]


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


This very expensive GLOBAL WARMING bullshit has got to stop. Our planet is freezing, record low temps, and our GW scientists are stuck in ice [SOURCE]

NBC News just called it the great freeze—coldest weather in years. Is our country still spending money on the GLOBAL WARMING HOAX? [SOURCE]

Any and all weather events are used by the GLOBAL WARMING HOAXSTERS to justify higher taxes to save our planet! They don't believe it $$$$! [SOURCE]

Global warming is based on faulty science and manipulated data which is proven by the emails that were leaked [SOURCE]

Ice storm rolls from Texas to Tennessee—I'm in Los Angeles and it's freezing. Global warming is a total, and very expensive, hoax! [SOURCE

The Autism-Vaccine Connection

I've seen people where they have a perfectly healthy child, and they go for the vaccinations, and a month later the child is no longer healthy. [SOURCE]

Autism rates through the roof—why doesn't the Obama administration do something about doctor-inflicted autism. We lose nothing to try. [SOURCE]

Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes—AUTISM. Many such cases! [SOURCE]

Ebola

The U.S. cannot allow EBOLA infected people back. People that go to far away places to help out are great—but must suffer the consequences! [SOURCE]

Same CDC which is bringing Ebola to US misplaced samples of anthrax earlier this year https://www.cnn.com/2014/07/15/health/cdc-anthrax-ziploc-bags/…Be careful. [SOURCE

Health Care

ObamaCare gives free insurance to illegal immigrants. Yet @BarackObama is cutting our troops healthcare. http://bit.ly/xFlfQs Outrageous. [SOURCE]

Obama is going to take away over 90M Americans' healthcare plans but he is letting Iran keep its nukes. Just think about that. [SOURCE]

Other Topics

Fracking poses ZERO health risks http://bit.ly/18pdO8H In fact, it increases our national security by making us energy independent. [SOURCE]

It would be nice if our commander-in-chief was as concerned for our Veterans health as he is for illegal immigrants becoming citizens. [SOURCE

Not only are wind farms disgusting looking, but even worse they are bad for people's health http://bit.ly/I9Dl8k They should be outlawed and allowed only in heavily industrialized areas. [SOURCE]

Seems to be the next election must be about jobs and gas prices—not birth control. [SOURCE

Remember, new “environment friendly” lightbulbs can cause cancer. Be careful—the idiots who came up with this stuff don't care. [SOURCE]

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe