Donald Trump has been an opponent of wind power since 2006, starting with plans to build a golf course in Scotland. This has escalated when he lost a bid to block an offshore wind project in the area. The president's administration recently announced it would pay French energy company TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion to abandon offshore wind energy projects off the coasts of New York and North Carolina. This comes as the price of oil increases due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war. The Department of Interior is framing this as a win for energy costs, while TotalEnergy has agreed to invest in natural gas and oil development in the US. Critics argue that this strategy increases taxpayer costs and decreases energy security. Despite these efforts, the wind power industry continues to grow despite efforts by the Trump administration.