🕒 Last updated on October 31, 2025
Days before the COP30 climate summit, United States President Donald Trump claimed victory over what he has long called the climate change “hoax”. His remarks came after Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, said that while climate change is serious, it will not bring about the end of human civilization.
In a post on TruthSocial, Trump wrote, “I (WE!) just won the War on the Climate Change Hoax. Bill Gates has finally admitted that he was completely WRONG on the issue. It took courage to do so, and for that we are all grateful.” The post quickly went viral, drawing support from his followers and criticism from environmental groups.
The statement came as global leaders prepare for the COP30 summit, where countries are expected to discuss ways to cut pollution and reduce rising global temperatures. Trump’s comments could influence the tone of the U.S. delegation at the international event. The President has repeatedly called climate change “the greatest con job ever”, a stance that continues to shape his administration’s energy policies.
Trump government moves ahead with Alaska oil drilling plan in sensitive wildlife refuge
Gates Clarifies His Climate Remarks
The controversy began after Bill Gates published a detailed memo in which he wrote that climate change “will not lead to humanity’s demise.” He said people will still be able to live and thrive in most parts of the world despite rising temperatures. Gates explained that while global warming remains a major concern, efforts to fight poverty and disease should not be overlooked, as they make vulnerable communities more resilient.
According to Bloomberg, Gates wrote, “Climate change is serious, but we’ve made great progress. We need to keep backing the breakthroughs that will help the world reach zero emissions. But we can’t cut funding for health and development — programs that help people stay resilient in the face of climate change — to do it.”
He admitted that some might see his remarks as a shift in tone or even hypocrisy because of his own carbon footprint. However, Gates stressed that his goal is to ensure that funding is used where it has the most impact. He said that focusing solely on climate efforts while neglecting basic human needs could slow progress overall.
Trump admin slashes $8B in green energy funding — only in states that didn’t vote for him
In an interview with CNBC, Gates explained that aid budget cuts by wealthy countries, including the United States, influenced his new perspective. He called the decision to reduce funding for clean energy initiatives a “huge disappointment”. Gates said, “Let’s take that very limited money and not have some partitioned off for particular causes.” He emphasized that he still supports the Paris climate accord and believes that innovation will continue to reduce emissions.
Trump’s Longstanding Climate Stance
President Donald Trump has been one of the most vocal critics of global climate initiatives. Since returning to office in January 2025 after winning the 2024 election, he has rolled back several environmental policies created by previous administrations. His campaign was heavily funded by Big Oil companies that benefit from fossil fuel expansion.
Trump’s interpretation of Gates’ comments fits his broader political message. By framing the billionaire’s remarks as an admission of error, he reinforced his position that concerns about global warming are exaggerated. Environmental groups, meanwhile, argue that Trump’s policies threaten global climate goals.
As attention turns to the COP30 summit, the exchange between Donald Trump and Bill Gates has drawn worldwide attention. Gates continues to advocate for realistic climate action paired with poverty reduction, while Trump celebrates what he calls a victory in his long fight against what he still labels the “climate hoax”.