Fact Check: "Trump called asbestos bans a conspiracy in his 1997 book."
What We Know
In his 1997 book, The Art of the Comeback, Donald Trump expressed controversial views about asbestos, a substance widely recognized as a carcinogen. Trump claimed that the movement to ban asbestos was influenced by organized crime, stating, "I believe that the movement against asbestos was led by the mob, because it was often mob-related companies that would do the asbestos removal" (source-5). He further argued that asbestos had "got a bad rap" and suggested that it was "100 percent safe, once applied" (source-5). This perspective aligns with a narrative often promoted by asbestos producers, who have historically claimed that bans are driven by conspiracy rather than legitimate health concerns (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Trump labeled asbestos bans as a conspiracy is substantiated by multiple sources. His book explicitly states that he viewed the anti-asbestos movement as a product of mob influence, which he believed pressured politicians into enacting bans. This assertion is not only documented in his own writing but has also been corroborated by various analyses of his statements (source-3, source-7).
The reliability of these sources is generally high, as they include reputable news organizations and analyses that have scrutinized Trump's statements over the years. For instance, Mother Jones and The New York Times have established records of investigative reporting, which lends credibility to their accounts of Trump's views on asbestos (source-1, source-5).
However, it is important to note that Trump's claims about asbestos being "100 percent safe" have been widely discredited by health experts and organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which states that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure (source-5). This discrepancy highlights a significant gap between Trump's assertions and established scientific consensus regarding the dangers of asbestos.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump called asbestos bans a conspiracy in his 1997 book" is True. Trump's statements in The Art of the Comeback clearly articulate his belief that the anti-asbestos movement was driven by organized crime rather than legitimate health concerns. This perspective is consistent with his broader views on asbestos, which have been criticized for lacking scientific support and for promoting misinformation about the substance's safety.
