O
bsessions make for poor decision-making. Donald Trump's fixation with wind turbines dates back to 2011, when the then-businessman failed to stop the construction of an offshore wind farm visible from one of his golf courses in Scotland. Calling the turbines "ugly," "costly" and "inefficient," Trump has once again targeted them, this time as US president. On December 22, operating permits for all major offshore projects under construction in the United States were suspended with immediate effect.
The announcement specifically impacted five projects located on the East Coast, representing a total investment of $25 billion. These wind farms, which had secured federal funding under Joe Biden's administration, were set to provide electricity to more than 2.5 million homes and businesses and create nearly 10,000 jobs.
This suspension of operating permits was justified on grounds of national security. The giant blades and towers of the wind turbines were said to potentially interfere with radar. It is a strange pretext, given that the projects were designed in consultation with the military.
The Portsmouth Marine Terminal in Virginia, which serves as a transit hub for Dominion Energy's wind project, on December 22, 2025. STEVE HELBER/AP
