Trump connects climate change denial to AI concerns, experts respond.

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday, warning that the same “people who said we’d all be dead in twelve years because of global warming” were now “re‑branding climate change as a hoax” while the nation worries about artificial intelligence. The 45th‑former president’s brief message linked two controversial topics in a single tweet‑style post, sparking a flurry of reactions from climate scientists, AI experts and political commentators.

The post came as public concern over AI surged after several high‑profile incidents this year, including a chatbot that spread disinformation during the midterm elections and a deep‑fake video that fooled a major news outlet. At the same time, climate denial has resurfaced in some media circles, despite overwhelming scientific consensus that the planet is warming and that human activity is a primary driver. Trump has long dismissed climate science, rolling back regulations during his administration and repeatedly calling climate change a “hoax.” His latest comment attempts to conflate the two debates, suggesting a coordinated effort to mislead the public.

Fact‑checkers quickly flagged the claim as inaccurate. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows that average global temperatures have risen about 1.2°C since pre‑industrial times, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns of severe impacts if warming exceeds 1.5°C. A Pew Research Center survey released last month found that 68% of Americans view AI as a major societal risk, while 57% say they are concerned about climate change. Climate researchers and AI ethicists both condemned Trump’s post as a false equivalence, urging the public to focus on evidence‑based solutions rather than politicized rhetoric.

The controversy is likely to fuel further fact‑checking and may influence upcoming congressional hearings on AI regulation slated for the fall. Lawmakers from both parties have called for clearer guidelines to prevent AI misuse, and the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy has pledged to release an updated AI safety roadmap. Meanwhile, climate advocacy groups plan a coordinated media push to reaffirm the scientific consensus on warming. Trump’s post, though brief, underscores how former leaders can still shape public discourse on emerging technologies and longstanding environmental challenges.