On May 11, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt ignited a firestorm by labeling a proposed $4 trillion climate change initiative as “the biggest scam in Congress.” Speaking at a press briefing, Leavitt accused lawmakers of funneling taxpayer money into what she called a “Green New Scam,” echoing sentiments from her 2022 congressional campaign where she dismissed climate change as a “manufactured crisis.” Her remarks targeted a stalled Republican budget reconciliation package, which includes $4 trillion in tax cuts tied to spending reductions, but she claimed climate programs are bloated with wasteful spending.
Leavitt’s critique focused on programs like the Clean Electricity Performance Program, which critics argue misdirects funds to corporate handouts under the guise of emissions reduction. She cited examples from her USAID “waste list,” including $25 million for green transportation in Georgia (the country), as evidence of misallocated resources. “This isn’t about saving the planet—it’s about lining pockets,” she said, alleging that climate initiatives often benefit foreign entities or elite interests while burdening American taxpayers. Her comments align with former President Trump’s skepticism, who has called climate change a “hoax” and withdrawn from the Paris Agreement.
The $4 trillion figure stems from a broader GOP plan to extend 2017 tax cuts, with climate spending cuts as a bargaining chip. Leavitt argued that such funds could address pressing issues like the $36.1 trillion national debt or border security instead. Critics, however, warn that dismissing climate action ignores rising global temperatures and extreme weather, with 2023 marking record-breaking heat. The Center for American Progress notes 123 members of Congress deny human-caused climate change, a stance Leavitt’s rhetoric bolsters.
Supporters of Leavitt’s stance, including conservative commentators, praise her for challenging what they see as exaggerated climate narratives driven by fossil fuel opposition. They point to the $359 billion global climate investment in 2018, claiming minimal progress despite massive spending. Yet, scientists counter that human-driven warming is undeniable, with carbon dioxide’s role as a greenhouse gas known since the 1800s. The Trillion Tree campaign’s failures, overhyped as a solution, further fuel skepticism about climate spending efficacy.
Leavitt’s bold accusation has polarized discourse. On X, her supporters hail her as a truth-teller, while detractors argue she undermines urgent environmental action. The controversy highlights tensions between fiscal conservatism and climate policy, with Leavitt’s past as a Trump aide and MAGA candidate amplifying her influence. As Congress debates the debt ceiling and tax cuts, her claims will likely shape GOP priorities, risking further delays in addressing climate impacts already costing billions in disaster recovery. This clash promises to dominate headlines, with Leavitt at the center of a heated national debate.
