Fact check: Did Donald Trump say climate change is a hoax?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that Donald Trump has made statements that cast doubt on the science of climate change ^[1], but it is unclear whether he directly said that climate change is a hoax. One source indicates that during his election campaign in 2016, Donald Trump said climate change was 'a hoax', but he has since rowed back on that statement ^[2]. However, other sources do not provide a direct quote of Trump saying that climate change is a hoax, instead mentioning that he has made comments that climate change is a concept created by China ^[3], or that he has denied the significance of climate change ^[4]. Additionally, some sources suggest that Trump acknowledges some connection between human activities and climate change, but is concerned about the economic costs of addressing it ^[5]. It is also worth noting that Trump has made statements dismissing the significance of climate change, such as saying 'I don’t believe it' in response to the Fourth National Climate Assessment ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key missing context in the original statement is the nuance of Trump's comments on climate change, which have varied over time and have been open to interpretation ^{[2] [5]}. Another missing context is the broader policy implications of Trump's statements on climate change, including his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and his administration's efforts to undermine climate change research ^{[7] [6]}. Alternative viewpoints that are not fully represented in the original statement include the potential economic benefits of addressing climate change, as well as the scientific consensus on the reality and significance of climate change ^{[5] [8]}. Furthermore, some sources highlight the importance of considering Trump's actions on climate change, rather than just his statements, in order to fully understand his position on the issue ^{[7] [8]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading or oversimplified, as it does not account for the complexity and nuance of Trump's comments on climate change ^{[2] [5]}. Additionally, the statement may lack context, as it does not provide information about the sources or dates of Trump's comments, or the broader policy implications of his statements ^{[7] [6]}. The statement may also reflect a bias, as it frames Trump's comments on climate change in a particular way, without fully representing the range of viewpoints and perspectives on the issue ^{[5] [8]}. It is worth noting that some sources may have a vested interest in portraying Trump's views on climate change in a particular way, and that a balanced and nuanced understanding of the issue requires considering multiple sources and perspectives ^{[1] [4]}.