Fact Check: Trump is charging tourist with a 500 dollar environmental fee starting September 2025

Fact-Check: "Trump is charging tourists a $500 environmental fee starting September 2025"

What We Know

The claim that "Trump is charging tourists a $500 environmental fee starting September 2025" lacks support from credible sources. Instead, recent legislative actions and announcements indicate that there are other fees being implemented, but not specifically a $500 environmental fee.

1. National Park Fees: On July 3, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order that increases fees for foreign tourists visiting national parks. This move aims to improve services and access for American families, but the specific fee amount for foreign tourists was not set at $500 (White House Fact Sheet).

2. Visa Integrity Fee: A separate fee, termed the "visa integrity fee," has been introduced as part of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill." This fee is set at $250 for the fiscal year 2025, which ends on September 30, 2025 (Fortune). This fee is distinct from an environmental fee and is related to visa processing.

3. Waste Emissions Charge: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed regulations related to a Waste Emissions Charge, which was set to take effect but was disapproved by Congress in March 2025. This charge is unrelated to tourism fees and does not impose any new fees on tourists (EPA).

Analysis

The claim about a $500 environmental fee appears to be a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the current fee structures being implemented under the Trump administration.

• Source Reliability: The information from the White House is official and outlines the changes to national park fees specifically for foreign tourists. However, it does not mention a $500 fee. The Fortune article provides credible information about the visa integrity fee, which is significantly lower than the claimed amount.

• Contextual Understanding: The introduction of various fees, such as the visa integrity fee, may lead to confusion regarding the total costs for tourists. However, the specific claim of a $500 environmental fee is not substantiated by any official documents or announcements.

• Potential Bias: The sources used are reputable and provide factual information. However, the claim itself may stem from a misinterpretation of the various fees being discussed in the context of tourism and environmental policies.

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump is charging tourists a $500 environmental fee starting September 2025" is False. The only fees currently being discussed include an increase in national park fees for foreign tourists and a $250 visa integrity fee, neither of which matches the $500 figure mentioned in the claim. There is no evidence supporting the existence of a $500 environmental fee as described.

Sources

1. Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Makes Our National Parks Great Again
2. Waste Emissions Charge | US EPA
3. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Includes a $250 'Visa Integrity Fee'
4. What's in Trump's Big Tax and Spending Law?
5. Trump Orders Hike to National Park Fees for Nonresidents
6. What to Know About New U.S. Tourist Fees
7. In Hawaii, New Tourism Tax Aims to Offset Costs of Climate
8. Visa Integrity Fee: What to Know About New Travel Fee to Enter the U.S.