Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin gave a big nod to conspiracy theorists Thursday when he posted a message of support for Americans who “have questions about geoengineering and contrails.”
“For years, people who asked questions in good faith were dismissed, even vilified by the media and their own government,” Zeldin posted on X, formerly Twitter. “This ends today.”
Following his post, the EPA announced two new webpages that discuss geoengineering and contrails.
“EPA created these new online resources to communicate everything the agency knows about the latest science, research and other information regarding contrails and geoengineering,” the agency’s website said. “EPA is committed to total transparency with the American public on these topics.”
Zeldin’s post undoubtedly will fire up conspiracy theorists who believe — without evidence — that the government is actively using geoengineering and contrails to manipulate the weather for nefarious purposes.
His post comes as Republicans have spread absurd conspiracy theories that the recent flash flooding in Texas that killed at least 120 people was caused by weather manipulation. There is no evidence to suggest this is true, and experts say manipulation of that scale isn’t scientifically possible.
And last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) passed a law that bans “geoengineering and weather modification activities,” despite DeSantis’ own admission that it’s not happening in his state.
“Florida is not a testing ground for geoengineering,” DeSantis posted on X in May. “We already do not permit this type of activity, but we are going the next step to ensure it does not happen in this state.”
Despite Zeldin’s seeming nod to conspiracy theorists, the EPA’s new webpage on contrails clarifies that there is no evidence of the government attempting to manipulate the weather.
“The federal government is not aware of there ever being a contrail intentionally formed over the United States for the purpose of geoengineering or weather modification,” the webpage says.
The agency Zeldin is tasked with leading aims to “protect human health and the environment,” including access to clean air and water, the cleanup of toxic land and “access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks.”
Earlier this week, the union representing workers at the EPA demanded President Donald Trump reinstate more than 100 workers who were placed on administrative leave for daring to criticize the agency’s leadership.
The 139 employees signed a public “declaration of dissent” that condemned Zeldin for focusing on “harmful deregulation, mischaracterization of previous EPA actions, and disregard for scientific expertise” as the administration loosens environmental standards.
And in the EPA’s budget proposal for next year, the critical agency said it would be seeking a 54% reduction. That means cutting total funding from $9.14 billion to $4.16 billion.
Zeldin was mocked on X for his focus on unfounded conspiracy theories.
“Some people have ‘questions’ about whether birds are real — will that be your next project?” Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) posted on X in response to Zeldin. “How much taxpayer money will you be spending on this?”