Trump’s energy department said wind and solar energy capacity is ‘worthless’ without sunlight or wind. Elon Musk reminds DoE about batteries: ‘Um… hello?’

Elon Musk, in a black sports jacket and black hat, stands behind Trump and looks over crossed-arms as Trump speaks to reporters. (Credit: ALLISON ROBBERT/AFP via Getty Images)

• The Department of Energy, led by oil-and-gas veteran Chris Wright, claimed renewables are “worthless” without sun or wind, drawing widespread criticism and a viral two-word clapback from Elon Musk that pointed out the existence of massive energy storage projects that can continue feeding electricity into the grid.

President Donald Trump’s Department of Energy sparked backlash last week after posting on X that “wind and solar energy infrastructure is essentially worthless when it is dark outside, and the wind is not blowing.”