Producer: Liu Chang

Hosts: Wang Zongnan & Aiwei

At the UN General Assembly, Donald Trump called climate change “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.”

But why does this message — mocking renewables, defending fossil fuels, dismissing science — still resonate with so many Americans?

In this episode, we ask:

• Why is Trump so hostile to climate action?
• How do economy, business interests, and party politics shape his stance?
• Why does rejecting science feel like loyalty in U.S. politics?
• And what does the rest of the world make of it — especially as China pushes ahead on green energy?

For feedback or inquiries, follow us on Xinhua News App, Facebook @World Beat Podcast. You can also find World Beat on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.