Donald Trump explains his distinctive orange hue: it’s the light bulbs
- In rambling speech to Republican lawmakers, US president takes aim at energy-efficient bulbs, saying ‘the light is the worst’
- Trump has recently been criticised for plans to weaken regulation against environmentally friendly light bulbs
It has been the subject of intense debate among late-night comedians and Donald Trump’s many online critics: why, under certain circumstances, does the president of the United States sometimes appear … orange?
Now Trump himself has come up with an answer – and it is not one anyone was expecting. The problem, apparently, is energy-efficient light bulbs.
Talking before an audience of Republican legislators in Baltimore on Thursday night, Trump gave a rambling speech in which he tackled criticism of his recent plans to weaken regulations on environmentally friendly bulbs.
“The light bulb,” the president began. “People said: what’s with the light bulb? I said: here’s the story. And I looked at it. The bulb that we’re being forced to use! No 1, to me, most importantly, the light’s no good. I always look orange. And so do you! The light is the worst.”
But that was not the end of it. Trump complained that the energy-efficient bulb is many times more expensive than its incandescent predecessor and, he claimed, needs to be treated as “hazardous waste” if it breaks.