From PBS NewsHour.

Despite decades of scientific research on climate change, its causes and its effects on the planet, President Donald Trump on Tuesday called it “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion.”

He made the comments, citing separate concerns about global cooling and global warming over the 20th century, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly.

“All of these predictions made by the United Nations and many others, often for bad reasons, were wrong. They were made by stupid people that have cost their countries fortunes and given those same countries no chance for success.”

Trump told the audience in the hall that “if you don’t get away from this green scam, your country is going to fail.” He also cited a hat sold by his campaign that reads “Trump was right about everything” as way to emphasize his point that he is right about climate change.

The president also criticized former President Barack Obama for his warnings about carbon footprints, while at the same time, traveling during his two terms in office aboard Air Force One. Trump also criticized the focus on cows in relation to climate change, even though livestock production does contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions.

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