Illustration created with AI for atlasgazette. A composite image inspired by Tucker Carlson’s viral post on X (Twitter).
Tucker Carlson has done it again. He dispelled one of the internet’s longest-running conspiracies from the digital pulpit of X (yes, a relaunched Twitter) and gave it new wings. In a pinned video that has already sent the comments section into overdrive, Carlson declares:The government has finally acknowledged that chemtrails are real.“Although he insists this is no tinfoil hat fantasy.”geoengineering” — and, in true Tucker fashion, warns that it is “ ”.much worse than what you imagined”
Within a few hours, the clip millions of viewsthousands of comments, and enough discussion to cloud an Andalusian sunrise.
Tucker Carlson’s new video sparks ‘chemtrails’ controversy
Carlson said in the 13-minute video. Dane Wiggintonfounder of Geoengineering Watch and long-time campaigner who believes the stripes on our heads are deliberate chemical releases, rather than innocent condensation. He calls this evidence of global weather manipulation.
Mr. Carlson presents this idea as a revelation, something the government now “admits” to, without naming any government or providing evidence. It didn’t matter. Social media became instantly popular.
Who is Dane Wigginton and why his claims matter?
Mr Wigginton has long warned that governments and corporations are secretly controlling the climate. He is based in the United States and has built a following of many people who are convinced that geoengineering is not just real, but dangerous.
The conversation with Carlson marks a rare moment when these theories jump from the margins of the internet into the mainstream discussion. And for many UK expats scrolling through the news between cafe con leches, it’s yet another reminder of how their home country’s culture wars are currently playing out around the world, even at 30,000 feet.
What scientists say about contrails and ‘chemtrails’
Of course, scientists have not changed their opinion. According to the Met Office, that long white line across the sky is contrailshort for condensation trail, is formed by ice crystals when hot jet exhaust hits cold, moist air.
NASA agrees, noting that the size and persistence of contrails depend on altitude and weather, not secret chemicals. And the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has reiterated that there is “no evidence” of a covert spraying program.
That’s right, the jets over Malaga or Alicante probably aren’t scattering seeds in the sky. It’s already late at Gatwick Airport.
Why did this video go viral and what does it say about public trust?
Carlson’s post racked up millions of views in less than a day. Supporters called it fearless journalism. Critics called it a recycled plot. But the debate revealed a bigger problem: a steady decline in trust.
People don’t trust experts as much as they used to. Instead, they especially believe someone who speaks fluently about their grievances. Carlson is well aware that his audience is skeptical and disillusioned, convinced that if “they” deny it, it’s probably true. For foreigners, it’s like watching an old pub debate broadcast around the world, louder, smoother, and with subtitles.
Conclusion: Discussions about the sky are going nowhere.
Whether Carlson thinks he’s exposing hidden truths or chasing steam, one thing is clear: the chemtrail controversy still has an audience. The stripes above us may be made of ice, but they’re burning hot online.
Perhaps the real story is not above the clouds. Perhaps that is why so many people have stopped believing in what may be right in front of them, in this case on the terrace.
