【文/观察者网 柳白】
For a long time, the MAGA (Make America Great Again) faction of former US President Trump has been strongly opposed to solar energy, even calling it "the greatest scam of the century."
However, this stance has recently seen a significant reversal.
"Why has MAGA suddenly fallen in love with solar energy?" The centrist-left media outlet The Washington Post, which is part of the American political spectrum, published an article on March 2nd, mentioning that with the explosive growth of electricity demand for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, rising electricity prices, and intensified Sino-US energy competition, more and more allies of Trump have publicly supported solar energy, arguing that it is crucial for the US's AI dominance, grid stability, reducing electricity bills, and competition with China. Consequently, the Trump administration has softened its stance and restarted the approval process for some solar projects. Although there are still conservative opponents, solar energy has become a new focus of the MAGA energy agenda, with related promotion efforts gradually taking root across various regions.
Conservatives' Shift
The article states that as American conservatives realize the critical role of solar energy in powering artificial intelligence and controlling electricity costs, the crackdown on solar energy led by Trump is easing.
Katie Miller, wife of Stephen Miller, the head of domestic policy under Trump, and a right-wing commentator and podcast host, has shown a particularly noticeable shift. In the past, her X account was filled with typical Trump supporter style: she criticized children "transgender," mocked mainstream media, and posted provocative remarks aimed at left-wingers.
But recently, this MAGA voice has changed. She recently posted: "Solar energy is the energy of the future. That huge fusion reactor in the sky - we must quickly expand solar energy to compete with China." Another post said that solar energy is more important for the United States than coal, which is completely different from the previous statements and policies of the White House.
Trump has always openly criticized solar panels, calling them "landscape destroyers," "inefficient," and "ugly," and labeled solar and wind energy together as "the greatest scam of the century." His government prioritized fossil fuels and blocked hundreds of solar projects from final approval.
However, not only Katie Miller is defying the traditional MAGA stance on solar energy.
As electricity demand surges and energy affordability becomes a voter concern, more and more allies of the Trump camp, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, senior advisor Kellyanne Conway, and Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio, are promoting solar energy. Their support for clean energy may be having an impact, and the White House has already signaled a reconsideration of solar energy. Even Trump's rhetoric has shifted slightly.
On February 5, 2026, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin continued construction of a $1 billion, 520-acre data center. IC Photo
Katie Miller said in an interview that solar energy is essential for achieving the energy and AI agenda.
"Look at what Australia has done," she said, "solar energy solved their rotating power outages. President Trump has always prioritized lowering energy costs for Americans... I just argue that solar energy should be the driving force behind the solution."
This reflects the general awareness among Republicans: solar energy, long favored by liberals, is becoming increasingly indispensable for the US to secure AI leadership, close the massive "power gap" with China, and curb soaring residential electricity costs. These conservatives see it as key to American competitiveness, grid reliability, and the political survival of their movement. Climate change rarely comes up in these discussions.
Currently, the US is experiencing the largest increase in electricity demand in decades, mainly due to the explosive expansion of AI data centers. Tech companies warn that power shortages are limiting their expansion capabilities.
Solar energy is one of the few sources that can be rapidly deployed. Compared to fossil fuels or nuclear power, the planning and grid connection of new projects take significantly less time.
According to data from the U.S. Federal Energy Information Administration, solar energy combined with storage batteries will account for 79% of the new power generation capacity added to the U.S. grid this year. Most of this will go to Republican states, with Texas alone accounting for 40%.
Although the Trump administration has put solar energy at a disadvantage compared to natural gas, coal, and nuclear power through delays in approvals, project cancellations, cuts to federal clean energy programs, repeal of climate regulations, and criticism of state clean energy targets, it is now facing increasing pressure from its own voter base to use solar energy to ease the country's energy crisis and electricity price surge.
The White House Begins to Compromise
Last week, the Department of the Interior announced that it would allow several large solar projects previously halted to restart the approval process, acknowledging that these facilities align with Trump's energy agenda. Last week, during a call with reporters, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who once called solar energy a "parasite" on the grid, changed his tone.
"Can solar energy provide cheap, reliable energy for the grid commercially?" he said, "Of course it can."
Not all right-wing individuals are convinced.
Fossil fuel supporters Alex Epstein responded to Miller's post on X by provoking China, claiming, "China likes the idea that 'we must rapidly expand solar energy,' because they produce far more panels than the market needs."
However, such criticisms are being drowned out by voices supporting solar energy among conservatives.
Elon Musk is one of the loudest supporters. He is pushing for the development of a manufacturing capacity of 100 gigawatts of solar cells in the US annually and plans to develop space-based solar data centers.
Musk is now using his influence to push a grand plan to "regain solar manufacturing from China." His company Tesla plans to build factories in the US to produce 100 gigawatts of solar cells annually, which could become a key pillar of the US data center boom.
Minnesota universities conduct climate adaptation research on solar panels. IC Photo
Various signs indicate that support for solar energy within MAGA is gaining resonance among a broader range of activists.
Recently, Newt Gingrich, a long-time Trump advisor, wrote in a column: "Solar and wind energy are popular and very reasonable in suitable areas. Moreover, these technologies are getting cheaper and more reliable every year." The article warned against federal policies that punish them.
Gingrich did not respond to requests for comment.
In Virginia, a conservative coalition promoting solar expansion is printing MAGA hats. In states like Wisconsin, Republican legislators are pushing bills allowing farmers to build solar facilities on idle land to generate electricity. Nevada Governor Lombardo also proudly stated that he convinced the Trump administration to resume advancing three industrial solar projects.
Some Republicans are now more willing to accept solar energy because Congress has canceled tax incentives previously seen as "climate subsidies." In a fairer environment, they find that solar energy remains one of the fastest and cheapest sources of additional power.
Republican Representative Scott Krueger of Wisconsin said, "We are an energy net importer and must understand how to produce more energy ourselves." His proposed bill allows any farmer to build private solar facilities on up to dozens of acres of idle land (usually areas where irrigation equipment is placed) and connect them to the grid. He said the proposal could provide a lot of power for the entire state and free up grid capacity for data centers.
Ironically, those opposing the bill are Democrats and utility companies, who believe these facilities are effectively subsidized by other electricity users.
Farmer Lloyd Kline said, "We want to preserve this land for our children. Now, with solar panels, our grandchildren will benefit in the future."
The solar industry is also trying to win Trump's support, hiring polling experts closely tied to his political movement to lobby. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey showed that 64% of Republican voters still support solar farms; Gallup's 2025 poll indicated that Americans as a whole support investment in alternative energy.
However, many Republicans oppose prioritizing solar energy or providing government subsidies.
Trump himself seems to be rethinking. He promoted a video on Truth Social advocating installing solar panels and storage systems on millions of homes' rooftops through federal tax incentives, freeing up power for data centers while significantly lowering electricity bills.
"Last year, we wouldn't have seen this," said Stephanie Bosch, a solar industry association executive.
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Original: toutiao.com/article/7612859473123623439/
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