Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump for his second term, billionaires who have been prominent supporters of climate action over the last decade have noticeably avoided criticizing his climate policies. This shift in behavior is particularly notable given Trump's plans to roll back climate protections, including exiting the Paris Agreement and expanding fossil fuel drilling. Billionaires such as Michael Bloomberg, who have been vocal about the need for climate action, have instead chosen to focus on filling the funding gaps left by the U.S. withdrawal from international climate commitments. Bloomberg has pledged to cover the U.S. financial obligations to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), ensuring that the organization remains fully funded despite the U.S. ending its contributions. This approach reflects a strategic decision to maintain a working relationship with the Trump administration, rather than openly criticizing its climate policies. Big tech companies, which have also been vocal about climate change, are similarly navigating how to maintain their public-facing climate leadership while preserving healthy relations with the administration. The silence from these influential figures has raised concerns among climate advocates, who fear that the lack of vocal opposition could embolden the Trump administration to further undermine climate action. However, some experts argue that the focus on practical action, such as funding climate initiatives, may be a more effective strategy in the current political climate.

The situation highlights the complex dynamics at play in the fight against climate change, where political realities often require strategic compromises. While the avoidance of criticism may be seen as a pragmatic approach, it also underscores the challenges faced by climate advocates in pushing for meaningful action under a skeptical administration.