MAHA activists urge Trump against promoting coal to power energy-hungry AI data centers

Nearly 200 activists in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" movement have penned a letter urging President Donald Trump to reconsider promoting coal power for artificial intelligence data centers. The letter, signed by at least two former members of Kennedy's 2024 presidential campaign, is the first major mobilization from the MAHA movement regarding fossil fuels.

The activists argue that the administration's 2025 executive order prioritizing coal over pollution concerns is detrimental to American children's health. They request renewable energy options, such as solar and geothermal power, instead.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers countered that greenhouse gas emissions dropped to a 30-year low during Trump's first term, and Trump was given a mandate to reverse climate policies. The agencies handling the letter have not yet responded to requests for comment. Prominent MAHA figures behind the letter include Zen Honeycutt and Charles Eisenstein. Honeycutt, a former Kennedy campaign staffer, asked the MAHA Action PAC to sign the letter but did not receive a response.

This sudden criticism of the administration's signature policy could pose a challenge for Republicans seeking to win over the MAHA voting bloc in the upcoming midterm elections. Kennedy has implemented several policies to cater to the MAHA movement, such as limiting childhood vaccine recommendations and advocating for healthy diets.

However, many within the MAHA movement feel frustrated due to the administration's support for pesticides and deregulatory environmental policies. As a result, some activists have stated they may vote on issues rather than for the party.