“More Oceanfront Properties” – Trump Makes Light of Climate Change in Viral Interview

In a now-viral clip from a livestreamed interview with Elon Musk, Donald Trump made comments about climate change that seemed to suggest that global warming was not a serious threat.

Musk Interview Gets a Delayed Start

An interview hosted online by Elon Musk was delayed by over forty minutes, but after the technical issues were resolved, Donald Trump sat down with the billionaire CEO to discuss his views on the environment, the assassination attempt, and immigration.

Trump’s Claims Spark Concern

While the entire interview included statements from Donald Trump that had fact-checkers working overtime, one of his comments has received significant backlash as he attempted to downplay the severity of climate change.

“You’ll Have More Oceanfront Property” When Sea Levels Rise, Trump Says

“You know the biggest threat is not global warming when the ocean’s going to rise one-eighth of an inch in the next 400 years, and you’ll have more oceanfront property. The biggest threat is not that,” Trump told Musk.

Trump’s History of Climate Jokes

It’s not the first time the former president has joked that rising sea levels are a good thing. Last year, he brushed off the notion that it was a problem, making fun of scientists who show concern about it.

“That’s All It’s Going to Do”

“The world is going to be destroyed because the oceans are going to rise 1/100 of an inch within the next 300 years,” Trump said sarcastically. “It’s going to kill everybody? It’s going to create more oceanfront property; that’s what it’s going to do.”

Evidence Contradicts Trump’s Statistics

Trump’s figures are a gross underestimation, as evidence shows that sea levels have risen up to eight inches over the past century. Climate experts say that in more recent years, the rise is happening much more quickly.

Musk Did Not Argue Trump’s Claims

Elon Musk, who is the CEO of Tesla and an advocate for electric vehicles, has previously said that climate change is “a major risk.” He did not challenge Trump’s assertions that the issue was not something to worry about.

A New Worry: Nuclear Warming?

Trump continued, saying there was a more significant risk that people should be preparing for: nuclear warming.

“The Biggest Problem We Have in the Whole World”

“Nobody talks about nuclear…the problem…the biggest problem we have in the whole world, it’s not global warming, it’s nuclear warming,” Trump said. 

Nuclear Warming Definition Unclear

Experts have expressed confusion about what nuclear warming is, about which Trump has warned in the past. Some speculate that he is referencing the possibility of nuclear war.

“You’re Going to Have a Problem”

“All it takes is one mad man and you’re going to have a problem, the likes of which the world has never seen,” Trump said. He also referred to the world “nuclear” as the “n-word,” saying it was one of “two n-words,” and that “you don’t mention either one of them.”

Trump Identifies as an Environmentalist

As for climate change, Trump claims that he considers himself an environmentalist, referencing policies he put in place regarding the environment while he was president. He was not specific about those policies.

“I’ve Become an Environmentalist Also”

“The environmentalists talk about all this nonsense in many cases. I’ve become an environmentalist also, I guess in my own way because I have done a good job with the environment,” said the former president.

Trump Zeroes In On Harris

The interview platformed the candidate as he spent time talking about his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump spoke about Harris, comparing her to “the most beautiful actress to ever live,” while also describing her as unintelligent.

Harris Is a “Radial Left Lunatic,” Says Trump

“She is considered more liberal by far than Bernie Sanders,” Trump said. “She’s a radical Left lunatic. And if she’s going to be our President very quickly, you’re not going to have a country anymore.”

“She Believes in Defunding the Police”

“She’ll go back to all of the things that she believes in,” he continued. “She believes in defunding the police; she believes in no fracking.”

NOAA Counters Trump’s Climate Change Beliefs

Despite Trump’s claims that the environmental effects of global warming are nothing to be concerned about, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that the opposite is true. As sea levels continue to rise, the NOAA expects more severe flooding in coastal areas, including Florida, where Trump owns a large amount of property.

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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / lev radin.

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