Ted Cruz Claims Without Evidence That China is Funding U.S. Climate Lawsuits
Sen. Ted Cruz, the Texas Republican, has launched a new line of attack against climate lawsuits filed by states and localities against the fossil fuel industry. According to multiple sources, Cruz claims that China is funding these lawsuits without providing any evidence to support this assertion.
The lawsuits in question aim to hold energy companies accountable for damages caused by climate change, which have resulted in increased wildfire risk, rising temperatures, and other devastating effects on communities across the United States. As of September 2025, at least 24 states and localities had filed such lawsuits against major fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron.
Cruz's claim that China is funding these lawsuits was first reported by NPR Politics on September 19, 2025. According to Michael Copley's article, Cruz made this statement without providing any evidence or credible sources to back up his assertion. This move has been seen as an attempt to discredit the climate lawsuits and shift attention away from the industry's role in contributing to climate change.
The fossil fuel industry has faced mounting pressure from environmental groups and local communities demanding accountability for the devastating impacts of their activities on the environment. In response, industry supporters have turned to the Supreme Court for help, but so far, they have been unsuccessful.
According to a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the climate lawsuits filed against fossil fuel companies aim to recover costs associated with climate-related damages, including sea-level rise, extreme weather events, and other impacts. The UCS estimates that these costs could amount to hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years.
Cruz's claim has been met with skepticism by environmental groups and experts who have studied the issue. "There is no credible evidence to support Senator Cruz's claim that China is funding climate lawsuits," said a spokesperson for the Sierra Club, a leading environmental organization. "This is just another attempt by the fossil fuel industry to deflect attention from their role in contributing to climate change."
The climate lawsuits are ongoing, and it remains to be seen how they will ultimately impact the fossil fuel industry's operations and profits. However, one thing is clear: the issue of climate change and accountability for its impacts on communities across the United States will continue to be a pressing concern for policymakers, environmental groups, and local residents.
As the debate over climate change continues to unfold, it is essential to separate fact from fiction and rely on credible sources of information. In this case, Senator Cruz's claim that China is funding U.S. climate lawsuits remains unsubstantiated and lacks concrete evidence.
This story was compiled from reports by NPR Politics and NPR News.
