Trump's UN rant shone a harsh spotlight on his most alarming belief

During his speech to the United Nations in New York this week, President Donald Trump claimed many countries were “heading down a path of total destruction.”

In Europe, said Trump, “many countries [are] on the brink of destruction because of the green energy agenda.” Along with immigration, Trump said, “the high cost of so-called green renewable energy is destroying a large part of the free world.”

Trump went on: “Countries that cherish freedom are fading fast … the carbon footprint is a hoax made up by people with evil intentions, and they’re heading down a path of total destruction.”

Based on Trump’s assessment, it would be hard to imagine the abysmal conditions in countries who have bought into the carbon footprint hoax. They have invested heavily in clean-energy development and weaned themselves off of fossil fuels, the “traditional energy” sources Trump believes that every country needs to be great.

One country in particular has arguably gone farther down the path of total destruction Trump envisages than any other: Denmark.

Denmark has long relied heavily on clean, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and bioenergy, which produce over 80 percent of its energy. Over 80 percent of its new car sales are electric vehicles. America’s sales total 8 percent. Denmark's reliance on fossil fuels for energy and vehicle fuel is among the lowest in the world. From Trump’s perspective, Denmark should be on the brink of collapse.

First, let’s take a look at Denmark’s economy.

The Independent Australia, which ranks all major economies on eight indicators, ranks Denmark as the best-performing economy in the world in 2025. The US economy ranks 24th. According to FocusEconomics, Denmark boasts one of the strongest and most resilient economies in Europe, with a high standard of living and strong fiscal management. The country has a diversified economy, with key industries including pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and shipping.

How about quality of life?

According to US News and World Report, Denmark has the number one quality of life among all nations based upon its broad access to food, housing, quality education, health care and employment, job security, political stability, individual freedom and environmental quality. The United States: 22nd.

What about average individual income?

According to a WorldData study, Denmark’s individual income ranks 13th in the world at $76,357 while the US’s average income ranks seventh at $83,660. According to World Population Review, Denmark has among the lowest income inequality among all nations while the US has among the highest. Therefore, the US income average is skewed towards higher-income individuals while Denmark’s individual income is spread more evenly.

How healthy are Denmark’s residents?

According to the World Population Review, Denmark is the 16th-healthiest country in the world to live based on the Global Health Index for 2024 while the US is ranked 65th. Denmark’s excellent quality of life, expansive social programs, good work-life balance, strong health-care system, and safe environment all contribute to a healthy citizenry.

How happy are people in Denmark?

The World Population Review’s World Happiness Report uses statistical analysis to determine the world’s happiest countries. Based on its findings, Denmark ranks as the second-happiest country in the world. The US isn’t among the top 12. Northern European countries, many of which are leaders in clean, renewable energy development, dominate the top countries in the happiness rankings.

Trump’s asinine assertion that clean energy development is destroying countries was delivered to an audience of UN representatives from countries committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as members of the Paris Climate Accord.

It was delivered at an international organization committed to building a global system to fight climate change coming from greenhouse gas emissions. One can imagine how many minds were changed by Trump’s laughably false, anti-science claims.

Trump of course is dead wrong about everything related to climate change and green energy development. Increased production and usage of clean, renewal energy sources not only doesn’t destroy countries, it helps them to thrive economically and provide a superior quality of life to countries like the US which remain doggedly, ignorantly dependent on fossil fuels.

It was a welcome sight for Trump to embarrass himself beyond belief on a world stage so that every nation could hear the kind of outlandish malarky that Americans have to put up with every day. That Trump’s every remark was met with stone-faced silence by the UN’s international audience spoke volumes. They weren’t buying it.

• Tom Tyner is a freelance editorialist, satirist, political analyst, blogger, author and retired English instructor