The inauguration of Donald Trump on 20 January 2025 marked a turning point in the approach of American institutions to climate change. By questioning certain aspects of the scientific consensus and adopting controversial environmental policies, his administration has provoked contrasting reactions in the media landscape. How have the media, in the United States as in France, addressed this development? Between assertive criticism and nuanced analyses, media coverage of global warming is undergoing a transformation.
An assumed political strategy: between climate scepticism and fossil expansion
On his first day in office, President Trump signed Executive Order 14162, entitled Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements, formalising the immediate withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement. This decision marked a turning point from the previous administration and repositioned the country as a disengaged player in the climate struggle. In the process, a ‘national energy emergency’ was declared, authorising the intensified exploitation of fossil fuels, including in protected areas. The administration relies on the Project 2025, a roadmap designed by the ultra-conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, which aims to curb environmental regulations and strengthen the fossil industry.
Divided American media
In the United States, the media reaction has been split into two opposing trends:
- Explicit support in conservative circles: Channels such as Fox News and certain conservative news sites have widely relayed the presidential climate-sceptic discourse, minimising the repercussions of anti-climate policies and presenting environmental measures as economic obstacles.
- Strong opposition in the progressive media: Titles such as The New York Times, CNN and The Washington Post have stepped up their fact-checking efforts, conducting more and more investigations into the environmental and economic impacts of the administration’s decisions.
The influence of the American media climate on France
In France, coverage of climate change is traditionally rooted in a scientific approach. However, the American media also influence the French media landscape. The major French media (Le Monde, Libération, France 24) have largely maintained a favourable line on the fight against global warming, continuing to relay scientific warnings. Most of the media, whether in the local or national press, also emphasise the consequences of climate change: floods in northern France and Spain, fires in California and Cyclone Chido in Mayotte, etc. Platforms such as Les Décodeurs of Le Monde and CheckNews of Libération had already stepped up their verification work. At the same time, there has been an increase in the number of popular science documentaries and investigations aimed at better informing the public about the realities of the climate. However, the influence of American polarisation has manifested itself in an upsurge in the debate on climate scepticism in certain segments of the media. Some television programmes and radio shows have sought to ‘open the debate’ by giving a voice to personalities who minimise the climate emergency. This trend, although marginal, has attracted criticism regarding the risk of ‘false equivalence’, placing scientific facts and unfounded opinions on an equal footing.
Donald Trump’s influence on media coverage of global warming is part of a trend of increased polarisation. While the American media is largely divided, France remains committed to a pro-climate approach overall. However, the importation of climate-sceptic discourse poses new challenges for the French press, which must navigate between democratic pluralism and scientific rigour. The future of climate media coverage will depend on the media’s ability to educate, enlighten and counter misinformation, while making the subject more concrete for the general public.
By Jeanne Weinand
