Trump's Misleading Claims on Wind Turbines and Bird Deaths

On December 30, 2025, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social an image of a dead bird beneath a wind turbine, captioned “Windmills are killing all of our beautiful Bald Eagles!” However, the image in question was not of a bald eagle and was taken in Israel, not the United States. The bird depicted is believed to be a falcon, specifically a Eurasian kestrel, as confirmed by multiple experts. The photograph was originally published in a 2017 article by Haaretz, which highlighted the impact of wind turbines on bird populations in Israel.

The Straits TimesSnopesThe Guardian

Trump has long criticized wind energy, claiming that wind turbines pose a significant threat to birds, particularly bald eagles. His recent posts included exaggerated statements about wind turbines killing “millions” of birds. Despite the inaccuracies in his claims, Trump has consistently used dramatic imagery to emphasize his stance against wind energy. His administration has also taken steps to halt the expansion of wind projects, citing national security concerns and environmental impacts.

Washington ExaminerGreen MattersNewsweek

The backlash to Trump's post was immediate, with California Governor Gavin Newsom mocking the president on social media, stating, “Dozy Don doesn’t know what America’s bird looks like???” Experts have pointed out that while wind turbines do contribute to bird fatalities—estimated between 700,000 to 1 million annually in the U.S.—the number of bald eagles killed is significantly lower compared to other causes, such as collisions with buildings or predation by domestic cats.

The Straits Times

Critics argue that Trump's focus on wind turbines and their alleged threat to birds reflects a misunderstanding of the issue. Elie Bou-Zeid, a professor at Princeton University, noted that wind turbine collisions result in far fewer bird deaths than domestic cats or building collisions. Furthermore, the American Bird Conservancy has advocated for the implementation of "Bird-Smart Wind Principles" to mitigate the impact of wind energy on avian populations, rather than eliminating wind turbines altogether.

Washington Examiner

While Trump’s claims about wind turbines killing birds have been widely criticized, the actual impact of wind energy on bird populations remains a complex issue. The American Bird Conservancy acknowledges that wind turbines do kill birds, including bald eagles, but emphasizes the need for responsible development practices to minimize harm. The exact number of bald eagles affected by wind turbines is difficult to ascertain, and studies indicate that the population of bald eagles has been increasing despite the growth of wind energy production.

Green MattersWashington ExaminerSnopes

The future of wind energy projects in the U.S. remains uncertain, particularly following a federal judge's ruling that struck down Trump's executive order aimed at halting offshore wind projects. As the debate over wind energy continues, it is likely that Trump will maintain his critical stance, despite the evidence contradicting his claims.

NewsweekWashington ExaminerNewsweek

• “Windmills are killing all of our beautiful Bald Eagles!” — Donald Trump, President of the United States

Newsweek

• “Dozy Don doesn’t know what America’s bird looks like???” — Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

Newsweek

• “Wind turbine collisions kill way less birds in the U.S. than domestic cats or building collisions. If he is worried about birds, he should let more Haitian immigrants into the U.S., since he says they eat the cats and the dogs.” — Elie Bou-Zeid, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Princeton University

Newsweek