I Fear I May Not Be Welcome: Stephen Hawking on Donald Trump’s US

Hawking believes that Trump’s approach to scientific development and the environment could prove very harmful.

Donald Trump (L) and Stephen Hawking. (Photo: AP/The Quint)

In an interview with ITV’s Good Morning America, Physicist Stephen Hawking sat with host Piers Morgan and talked about US President Donald Trump, the hysteria around his appointment, and what he felt about travelling to the United States.

Having referred to Trump as a “demagogue” before his appointment, Hawking said that an effective approach to tackling climate change would win him more support for a second term.

He also disagreed with Trump’s travel ban, saying that it should be replaced by a more “effective, intelligence based approach”.

Also Read: Stephen Hawking Rips Into Trump, Calls Him a ‘Demagogue’

Hawking re-iterated his admiration of the United States, Hawking said:

I have many colleagues and friends there, and it is a place I like and admire in many ways, but I fear I will not be welcome there.

The Cambridge professor was referring to a memorandum passed by the Trump administration which required governments scientists to get White House approval for any announcements. He feels that a similar ruling in Canada had had a “chilling effect” on scientific development.

On Trump’s Stand Toward Climate Change

Hawking was particularly concerned about Trump’s environment policy, in light of his decision to shut down the Environment Protection Agency by 2018, as well as the appointment of Scott Pruit – a man who believes that carbon dioxide does not contribute to climate change. He said:

He should replace Scott Pruitt at the Environment Protection Agency. Climate change is one of the great dangers we face, and it’s one we can prevent. It affects America badly, so tackling it should win votes for his second term. God forbid.

On The ‘Global Liberal Hysteria’ in Response to Trump

Hawking admitted that there was a definite swing towards right-wing thinking by many sections of the United State’s populous, whom he regards as feeling “disenfranchised by the governing elite”. When asked about the future of Trump’s reign, Hawking said:

His priority will be to satisfy his electorate, who are neither liberal nor that well informed. We have already seen this when he promised to build a wall along the Mexican border and the sanctioning of the two oil pipelines.