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Newsweek
3 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Map Shows States Trying to Ban 'Chemtrails'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At least eight states have introduced legislation about so-called "chemtrails"—a conspiracy about chemicals being released into the atmosphere by aircrafts. Newsweek has created a map showing the states that are considering legislations surrounding this unsubstantiated phenomenon. Why It Matters Chemtrail conspiracy theorists claim that the government or other groups are using aircrafts to release chemicals or metals into the atmosphere, visible in the white lines that aircrafts leave behind in the sky. People have claimed these are used for a range of things from weather modification to mind control. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the white lines observed behind aircraft are contrails—condensation trails—that form when hot exhaust from jets meets cold air at high altitudes. The EPA states these are a natural result of flight and pose no risk to weather patterns. Some flights do not produce them as they require specific humidity and temperature conditions. Federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have publicly denied undertaking or planning any weather modification experiments such as those described by chemtrail conspiracy theorists. What To Know At least eight states have introduced bills regarding chemtrails. In Louisiana, Republican state Representative Kimberly Landry Coates defended a bill to ban chemtrails, which last week passed the state House of Representatives 58-32. The measure also directs the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to record reported chemtrail sightings and pass complaints on to the Louisiana Air National Guard. In Florida, GOP state Senator Ileana Garcia introduced legislation in December 2024 to prohibit weather modification activities in the state. In May 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he would sign the law. In April 2024, Tennessee lawmakers passed a bill banning the release of chemicals into the air, however, the bill did not explicitly mention chemtrails. There are other bills under consideration in Kentucky, where a bill seeks to ban "any form of geoengineering activities" including polluting the atmosphere and Minnesota where a House bill introduced in March aims to ban weather-modifying substances. In Rhode Island, a Senate bill would ban certain weather engineering activities and in New Hampshire a bill proposes banning the release of polluting emissions. In South Dakota, a Senate bill also would ban polluting emissions and in Texas, state Representative Wesley Virdell introduced an anti-chemtrail bill. What People Are Saying Mark Shanahan who teaches American politics at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom told Newsweek that the legislation on chemtrails showed a "disconnect from reality." "The norm in mature democracies is that voters elect skilled representatives who act in our best interest, and thus for very many decades potential legislators have striven to prove their intellect, their balance and their ability to weigh evidence," he said. "But that changed with Trump's election to a situation where politics is much more about celebrity than credibility and cranks from the margins of political ideas are now lauded front and centre. Whether it's RFK [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] at Health, or [Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene] MTG in the House, wild and wacky ideas, with no basis in truth, are being raised and argued as if they were true - often with little or no media push-back. The president sets the tone, and so far, Donald Trump has encouraged and enabled the circus of craziness. While US government is more about ratings than effectiveness, this disconnect from reality is set to continue." GOP Louisiana state Representative Kimberly Landry Coates: "This bill is to prevent any chemicals above us in the air, specifically to modify the weather." Florida state Senator Ileana Garcia previously told Newsweek: "The bill essentially repeals outdated provisions related to various aspects of the weather modification law, including definitions, licensing requirements, and the processes surrounding the application and issuance of licenses." Robert F Kennedy Jr. on X in August about chemtrails: "We are going to stop this crime." An airplane leaves contrails in the blue sky on March 6, 2024, in Germany. An airplane leaves contrails in the blue sky on March 6, 2024, in Germany. Photo by: Robert Michael/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What RFK Jr Has Said About Chemtrails Conspiracy Theory Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. hosted chemtrail activist Dane Wigington on his podcast in March 2023. The episode was titled "Are Chemtrails Real?" In the episode, Kennedy Jr. said he began to consider the issue of chemtrails when he and actor Woody Harrelson saw contrails from a plane transform into clouds. He asked Wiginton questions about the theory, asking him, "What proof do we have that chemtrails are happening?" and "How come we don't see more whistleblowers coming out?" Kennedy Jr. also speculated as to whether chemtrails are causing "accumulations of aluminum, even in places in very, very remote parts of the earth." Wigington said planes are spraying aluminum into the environment, adding: "What we're seeing in our skies are not condensation trails. In almost all cases they are sprayed particulate trails." Kennedy Jr. said it was "kind of frightening to think that somebody may be putting large amounts of bioavailable aluminum into the environment, spraying it in microscopic particulates from airplanes." Scientists surveyed in a 2016 study by Carnegie Science, University of California Irvine rejected the claim that excess environmental aluminum was the result of spraying. Most rejected that aluminum concentrations have increased at all. Of the experts who thought that aluminum concentrations might have increased, the increase was primarily attributed to changes in industrial, agricultural, or natural processes. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Weather 'Control' Comment After Hurricane Helene swept across the Southeastern U.S., killing at least 227 people, last year, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Yes they can control the weather. It's ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can't be done." The congresswoman didn't specify who "they" were. She then posted an image of Helene overlaid on an electoral map, suggesting that the hurricane's path had been intentionally set in motion to target Republican-leaning counties. The map appeared to have been created by Matt Wallace, a crypto influencer and conspiracy theorist with over 2 million followers on X. Greene's posts quickly went viral, with one receiving a user-generated community note on X that clarified existing "weather control" technology is limited to small-scale cloud seeding and cannot generate large storms or hurricanes. What Happens Next? Whether or not other states try to pass similar legislation remains to be seen as legislative sessions continue.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers pass controversial bill that could hamper weather forecasters: 'Feeding into conspiracy theories'
Lawmakers in Florida have passed a bill that would effectively ban the use of weather modification practices. On April 30, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill that would outlaw weather modification and geoengineering in the state. First filed in November 2024 by Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia, Senate Bill 56 had quickly garnered the support of leading Republican figures in the state, including Governor Ron DeSantis. SB 56 would prohibit geoengineering and weather modification activities by banning the release or dispersion of substances into the atmosphere to alter temperature, weather, climate, or sunlight intensity. It also aims to repeal existing laws related to weather modification permits and increase penalties for violations. While Garcia addressed the Florida Senate in early April, she pointed to the idea of "cloud seeding." According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report, cloud seeding is a decades-old technology that injects tiny particles, generally silver iodide crystals, into clouds in order to trigger rain or snow. However, the data surrounding the effectiveness of cloud seeding remains inconclusive. Garcia referred to cloud seeding as "something as simple as sending up a $30 balloon that you can buy on Amazon with specific chemicals so that you can alter the weather or solar radiation," she said. "It seems very concerning to me. I have a problem with people spraying perfume next to me sometimes," Garcia added. "Don't you have a problem with people spraying things into the atmosphere that really have no type of empirical data?" As noted in SB 56, the bill would also require publicly owned airports to file monthly reports to the Florida Department of Transportation regarding any aircraft equipped for geoengineering or weather modification. In addition, the bill also removes the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's ability to conduct studies, research, experimentation, and evaluations in the field of weather modification. Florida state representative Anna Eskamani criticized the logic behind the bill. "This bill is feeding into conspiracy theories, and I think it's important that we do not legislate under that type of pressure but that we legislate on science, we legislate on fact, we legislate not on fear but on information," Eskamai told Florida Politics. "The fact that this bill does not require the consultation of a meteorologist, the consultation of scientists to say [whether this] is suspicious activity is absolutely going to create an environment where things will be reported nonstop, bogging down the department and now potentially bogging down law enforcement who have a lot of more important work to do." Governor DeSantis has already signaled his intention to sign SB 56 into law. On April 2, the Florida governor posted a video to X in which he condemned the practice of geoengineering and other weather modifications. Do you think governments should ban gas stoves? Heck yes! Only in new buildings Only in restaurants Heck no! Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "People got a lot of kooky ideas that they can get in and put things in the atmosphere to block the sun and save us from climate change," DeSantis said. "We're not playing that game in Florida." Once SB 56 is signed, violators could potentially face third-degree felony charges, up to five years in prison, and fines up to $100,000. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Florida surgeon general makes dramatic move when state senator passes out during speech
Florida 's surgeon general leaped into action when a state senator passed out during a speech on Tuesday. State Sen. Ileana Garcia had joined Gov. Ron DeSantis and controversial Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to discuss their plans to ban fluoride in the Sunshine State's drinking water at a news conference in Miami. But halfway through her prepared remarks, the Republican lawmaker was seen swallowing hard, and stopped speaking. She instead turned her attention to DeSantis, quietly pleading: 'Governor, forgive me, I've got to sit down, because I am not feeling well.' Garcia then slouched down and fell sideways - right into Ladapo's arms, as he jumped from his seat to the stage. 'Hey, hey, hey, got you, got you, got you,' he reassured the lawmaker, as he slowly lowered her into a chair. Garcia then remained seated for about three minutes, as Ladapo spoke to her and others - including DeSantis - brought her water and fanned her. When she finally returned to her feet and retook the podium, the audience applauded. But Garcia seemed to be embarrassed by the whole situation. 'Are you kidding, this was my moment?' she joked, adding that her fainting spell was 'nerve-wracking, but this was my moment. 'And I so appreciate your grace, Gov. DeSantis,' Garcia said, thanking the onetime Republican presidential candidate for his efforts to help. She wound up finishing her remarks without any further issues, and left the stage to applause. When Miami-Dade Commissioner Robert Gonzalez then took the stage, he encouraged the audience to give the state senator 'another round of applause,' saying 'absolutely nothing is going to stop that woman from fighting for the people of Florida.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida State Senator Ileana Garcia Appears to Faint During News Conference and Is Saved by Surgeon General: 'We've Got You'
"Governor, forgive me, I've got to sit down, because I am not feeling well,' Florida Sen. Ileana Garcia told Gov. Ron DeSantis, per a clip shared by Fox 13 Tampa Florida Sen. Ileana Garcia appeared to faint as she spoke during a news conference hosted by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, May 6 "Governor, forgive me, I've got to sit down, because I am not feeling well,' Garcia told Gov. Ron DeSantis, per a clip shared by Fox 13 Tampa Bay She returned to continue her speech after briefly sitting down, telling the crowd, 'Are you kidding? This was my moment... I could not" Florida Sen. Ileana Garcia appeared to faint as she spoke during a news conference in Miami hosted by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week. On Tuesday, May 6, Garcia — a republican who serves District 36 in southern Florida — joined politicians to discuss the state wanting to ban "local governments from unilaterally adding fluoride to public drinking water," per an X post shared by DeSantis. As Garcia was speaking on the stage, she turned to DeSantis and said, "Governor, forgive me, I've got to sit down, because I am not feeling well,' per a clip shared by Fox 13 Tampa Bay. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, 46, was nearby and rushed to Garcia's aid after her eyes closed and she looked unsteady on her feet. 'Hey, hey, hey, hey, we've got you, we've got you, we've got you,' he repeatedly said while holding on to her. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky Florida Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, helps Sen. Ileana Garcia as she appears to faint during news conference Others rallied around Garcia, making sure she was okay and had water to drink, per the clip. She then returned to the stage shortly afterward and made light of the incident. 'Are you kidding? This was my moment... I could not,' she said in the Fox 13 Tampa Bay video. Related: Florida Surgeon General Appointed by Ron DeSantis Goes Against Science amid Florida Measles Outbreak 'Nerve-wracking, but this was my moment. And I so appreciate your grace, Governor DeSantis," the senator continued in a video posted by DeSantis on Facebook. 'Guys, can we just give another round of applause to Ileana Garcia,' Miami Dade Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez insisted as he took to the stage after Garcia. 'Absolutely nothing is going to stop that woman from fighting for the people of Florida,' he told the crowd. PEOPLE has reached out to Garcia's office for a comment but did not immediately hear back. Colin Hackley for The Washington Post via Getty Sen. Ileana Garcia Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Per local station WJXT, during Tuesday's news conference Gov. DeSantis said that he will sign a bill that "effectively bans the use of fluoride in Florida's water supply." Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Dr. Joseph Ladapo 'It's forced medication when they are jamming medication into your water supply,' the politician said while acknowledging that the chemical compound can help with dental health, the outlet noted. 'We have other ways where people can get access to fluoride. When you do this in the water supply, you are taking away a choice of someone who may not want to have overexposure to fluoride,' DeSantis added, as noted by the outlet. Read the original article on People
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Dramatic moment doctor leaps onto stage to save politician as she suddenly faints mid-speech
DRAMATIC footage shows the moment a doctor rushed on stage to save a politician who suddenly fainted mid-speech. Ileana Garcia said she feeling unwell and needed to sit down before collapsing. 4 4 The state senator appeared to lose her train of thought when she was thanking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis about a new environment bill. Garcia then told DeSantis she needed to sit down. The politician's head dropped and she said: 'I'm not feeling well.' Garcia then collapsed but she was saved by Joseph Ladapo, the Florida Surgeon General. 'We've got you, we've got you, we've got you,' he said. Those in the front row rushed to get the politician a chair so she could sit down. Moments later, she went back to the podium and started speaking again. 'Are you kidding? This was my moment,' she joked. 'Nerve wracking but this is my moment.' She then composed herself, exhaled, and then continued where she had left off. Garcia received a warm round of applause following her speech. And the next speaker, Roberto Gonzalez, a Miami-Dade commissioner, encouraged those in attendance to applaud the politician another time. 'Absolutely nothing is going to stop that woman from fighting for the people of Florida,' he said. Garcia, the daughter of Cuban exiles, has not spoken out about the moment. The politician, who represents Florida's 36th District in the state senate, was elected in 2022. She was re-elected with a margin of more than 20,000 votes. She previously represented the state's 37th District in the state senate. Garcia previously served under Donald Trump at the Department of Homeland Security. And, she was on the communications team for the Latinas for Trump group before the 2016 election. In February, Delbert Hosemann, the Mississippi Lieutenant Governor, collapsed during a speech on the Tennessee state senate floor. Distressing footage showed the elderly politician's head slump before falling sideways. Earlier this year, Democratic lawmaker John Larson appeared to freeze during a speech about Social Security. 4 4
