Amid climate change-related emergencies across the country, Donald Trump‘s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) head, Lee Zeldin, is here to help — help get to the bottom of a widely debunked conspiracy theory that is known as chemtrails, or jet contrails, thought by some to be a sign of geoengineering.
In a July 10 X post, Zeldin wrote, “Americans have questions about geoengineering and contrails. They expect honesty and transparency from their government when seeking answers. For years, people who asked questions in good faith were dismissed, even vilified by the media and their own government. This ends today.”
In a follow-up post, accompanied by an EPA news release, Zeldin added, “The Trump EPA is committed to total transparency. I tasked my team @EPA to compile everything we know about contrails and geoengineering to release to you now publicly. I want you to know EVERYTHING I know about these topics, and without ANY exception!”
The contrail “chemtrail” conspiracy theory debunked
Americans have questions about geoengineering and contrails. They expect honesty and transparency from their government when seeking answers. For years, people who asked questions in good faith were dismissed, even vilified by the media and their own government. This ends today.
— Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) July 10, 2025
The chemtrails conspiracy theory claims that the white lines behind airplanes are chemicals sprayed by governments for secret purposes. Believers say it is for mind control, weather manipulation, or population reduction. In reality, these trails are called contrails, short for condensation trails. They are made of water vapor and ice crystals, not chemicals.
Contrails form when hot jet exhaust hits cold air at high altitudes. This is basic physics, confirmed by NASA, the EPA, and other agencies. Sometimes contrails last for hours and spread across the sky. That depends on humidity and temperature, not secret programs.
The Trump EPA is committed to total transparency. I tasked my team @EPA to compile everything we know about contrails and geoengineering to release to you now publicly. I want you to know EVERYTHING I know about these topics, and without ANY exception! https://t.co/izKBz0lFvr pic.twitter.com/FkOCgBm3K9
— Lee Zeldin (@epaleezeldin) July 10, 2025
No scientific evidence supports the chemtrails theory. Studies show no unusual chemicals in air or water samples. Many “whistleblowers” have been discredited.
Meanwhile, claims of heavy metals in rainwater often come from flawed testing. Scientists agree: contrails are normal, not dangerous. The theory spreads through fear and mistrust of science. It grows in echo chambers online. But facts remain clear—chemtrails do not exist.
Some Americans also “believe in leprechauns.”
hello secretary zeldin. for too long, american voters who believe in leprechauns have been dismissed and derided. leprechauns are real and they live amongst us and they have enough treasure to pay off our national debt. please give our cause your public support
— america's leprechaun truther lounge singer (@KrangTNelson) July 10, 2025
The social media response noted the silliness of the priority, writing, “hello secretary zeldin. for too long, american voters who believe in leprechauns have been dismissed and derided. leprechauns are real and they live amongst us and they have enough treasure to pay off our national debt. please give our cause your public support.”
Americans also have questions about the Earth being flat. They too expect honesty and transparency from their government when seeking answers. So get to it Lee!
— Kes Bretagne (@KesendraB) July 10, 2025
Another added, “Americans also have questions about the Earth being flat. They too expect honesty and transparency from their government when seeking answers. So get to it Lee!” Crucially, information about contrails is already widely available; Zeldin’s promise could end up like Trump’s pledge to declassify documents related to the JFK assassination: In other words, not much.
