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No, Chemtrails Aren’t Real. But DeSantis’ Distraction Game Definitely Is.


fake chemtrails in sky

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just signed legislation addressing a problem that doesn’t exist: so-called “chemtrails.” And while conspiracy theorists celebrate, the rest of us are left wondering why the state’s top executive is wasting time and taxpayer dollars on science fiction when Florida is facing a very real environmental crisis.


The bill, HB 439, which DeSantis signed in May 2025, calls for a ban on “atmospheric aerosol injection”—a nod to long-debunked conspiracy theories claiming the government is spraying chemicals into the air via airplane contrails to manipulate the weather or control the population. Yes, really. This is where we are.


Let’s be clear: “chemtrails” are not real.


Contrails—the white trails you see behind planes—are simply condensation: water vapor produced by aircraft engines that freezes at high altitudes. They’re no more dangerous than your breath on a cold day. The entire chemtrail theory has been debunked over and over again by scientists, atmospheric researchers, and even military experts.


The EPA, NASA, NOAA, and the Federal Aviation Administration have all issued statements explaining that no evidence supports claims of clandestine chemical spraying programs. Studies, including a major 2016 peer-reviewed analysis published in Environmental Research Letters, found that 76 out of 77 scientists surveyed saw no evidence of a secret spraying program. The one dissenting respondent said they misunderstood the question.


So why would DeSantis sign a bill addressing something that doesn’t exist?


Simple: distraction.


While DeSantis performs legislative cosplay for fringe followers, real issues are suffocating Floridians:


  • Red tide and blue-green algae outbreaks are killing marine life and threatening tourism.

  • Toxic drinking water warnings are becoming more frequent, especially in rural and low-income communities.

  • The Right to Clean Water amendment is being ignored by lawmakers, despite historic citizen support.

  • Developers are bulldozing wetlands and state parks with minimal oversight.

  • Climate change continues to intensify hurricanes and sea-level rise—and Florida’s government keeps censoring climate language from official reports.



Instead of addressing any of these real emergencies, DeSantis is giving air time—and legislative power—to conspiracy theories.


It’s no coincidence that this bill aligns with his ongoing play for attention from the far-right fringe. Much like his book bans, drag show restrictions, and attacks on public education, this latest stunt is another move in his culture war chess game—one that sacrifices science, reason, and the actual needs of Floridians for political theater.


Worse still, DeSantis is doing this while vilifying actual environmental scientists and gutting protections that could help combat real environmental threats. His administration has cut funding for water quality monitoring, approved developments in sensitive ecosystems, and undermined efforts to transition to clean energy.


So here’s the truth:


There are no chemtrails.

But there is a toxic cloud hanging over Florida. And its source isn’t in the sky—it’s in Tallahassee.



What You Can Do:


  • Donate or volunteer with organizations fighting for clean water in Florida, like Right to Clean Water Florida.

  • Speak out at city council or county commission meetings to demand real environmental accountability.

  • Support candidates who believe in science, not conspiracies.

  • Share the truth to push back against misinformation.





Sources:





About the Author:

Danika Joy Fornear is a former alligator wrestler, environmental educator, and current investigative writer with Big Mouth Media. She reports from rural Florida, where she lives with her two children, a herd of goats, and a deep love for truth. Follow her work through Big Mouth Media, Front Porch Revolution, and Save Our Democracy.

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