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Donald Trump wears a coal miner's hardhat while addressing his supporters during a rally at the Charleston Civic Center on May 5, 2016 in Charleston, West Virginia.

Donald Trump wears a coal miner's hardhat while addressing his supporters during a rally at the Charleston Civic Center on May 5, 2016 in Charleston, West Virginia.

Photographer: Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Green
Politics

Trump Made a Promise to Save Coal in 2016. He Couldn’t Keep It

Despite the campaign vow, 2020 coal production is expected to be down 31%. The bleak coal outlook could cost the president support in the Nov. 3 election.

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President Donald Trump spent more than $1 billion in taxpayer funds, rolled back environmental rules and tried to stop power plant closings to fulfill a vow he made to West Virginia coal miners in the 2016 campaign.

But nothing he’s done is rescuing the coal industry.