Trump’s remark on having ‘natural instinct for science’ spurs reactions
President Donald Trump. Image: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Another remark made by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday elicited diverse reactions from netizens.
Trump was interviewed by reporters at the White House where he expressed his uncertainty on scientists’ concern on climate change.
He was asked about a recent report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It stated that by 2030, the world’s temperature would reach 1.5 degrees Celsius and that climate change is on the verge of becoming irreversible.
“No, no. Some say that and some say differently, I mean you have scientists on both sides of it,” he was quoted as saying in the interview.
“My uncle was a great professor at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) for many years. Dr. John Trump. And I didn’t talk to him about this particular subject, but I have a natural instinct for science, and I will say that you have scientists on both sides of the picture,” he added.
Upon hearing his statement about his “natural instinct for science,” netizens were once again quick to react.
Astrophysicist Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) said that there was no such thing as “natural instinct for science.” “There is curiosity, there is exploration, and there is the desire to learn & grow & test one’s naive notions against cold hard data,” she pointed out. “Believing in a ‘natural instinct for science’ is anathema to everything science is.”
There is no "natural instinct for science." This is not a thing. There is curiosity, there is exploration, and there is the desire to learn & grow & test one's naive notions against cold hard data. Believing in a "natural instinct for science" is anathema to everything science is
— Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) October 17, 2018
“Now, he also never spoke to his uncle about climate change. He just has the science knowledge,” “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah made fun of Trump’s remark. “You know, it’s in his blood, right? Now, I think that’s cholesterol but that’s not the point.”
Trump says he doesn’t believe in man-made climate change because he has a “natural instinct for science.” 😂 🙏 🏆
Full piece: https://t.co/4zA1aLdbhN pic.twitter.com/OQ4QAQMxJj
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) October 18, 2018
US Senator Jeff Merkley likewise reacted on Trump’s statement: “Trump saying he has a natural instinct for science is like Hulk Hogan saying he has a natural instinct for ballet.”
Trump saying he has a natural instinct for science is like Hulk Hogan saying he has a natural instinct for ballet.https://t.co/UDiXTtMnMr
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) October 18, 2018
And Catherine Q. (@CatherineQ) may have used Trump’s statement against him as she shared a photo of him glaring up while the Lunar Eclipse happened.
Donald Trump: “I have a natural instinct for science”
Also Donald Trump: pic.twitter.com/qQ3KBMCJ6g
— Catherine Q. (@CatherineQ) October 18, 2018
In the past, Trump has been criticized on his views about climate change. In 2017, he said he was proud on the US backing out of the Paris Climate Accord, with him claiming that some people have thanked him for it. /ra
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