WASHINGTON, D.C. February 21, 2026 – President Donald Trump has vowed federal action to rescue Utah’s Great Salt Lake, calling the rapidly shrinking body of water “an environmental hazard that must be worked on, IMMEDIATELY.”
During Saturday night’s National Governors Association dinner at the White House, Trump responded directly to concerns raised by Utah Governor Spencer Cox. In video footage shared by the official White House Rapid Response account (@RapidResponse47), the President stated:
“We’re going to save the Great Salt Lake… @GovCox said, ‘We’re losing water rapidly, and it’s getting smaller, smaller, drier, drier.’ You tell those people we’re going to work on it really hard. We’re going to save it.”
Earlier on Truth Social, Trump posted: “It is very important to save The Great Salt Lake in Utah. This is an Environmental hazard that must be worked on, IMMEDIATELY — It is of tremendous interest to me. We are going to work with the very caring Governor of Utah, @GovCox, and we are going to make it all happen! MAKE ‘THE LAKE’ GREAT AGAIN!”
Once the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, the Great Salt Lake has lost more than two-thirds of its historic volume. Near-record low water levels in early 2026, driven by prolonged drought, low snowpack, and upstream diversions for agriculture, cities, and industry, have exposed vast stretches of lakebed. Scientists warn of toxic dust storms that could harm air quality across the Wasatch Front, collapse of brine shrimp and migratory bird habitats, and severe economic fallout for tourism, mineral extraction, and recreation.
Utah officials have been sounding the alarm for years. Governor Cox, a leading voice for restoration, has pushed state legislation, water-rights purchases, and conservation measures. In January, he pledged that “the Great Salt Lake will be full” by the 2034 Winter Olympics. On Saturday, Cox responded to the President’s remarks:
“We will not let the lake fail. Period. Thank you @POTUS for helping Utahns save the Great Salt Lake.”
The pledge came during the NGA’s annual winter meeting in Washington, which followed days of partisan tension after the White House initially excluded two Democratic governors from a related event. The traditional White House dinner ultimately proceeded with governors from both parties.
Trump’s comments signal potential new federal-state cooperation on Western water issues — including possible support for water-rights acquisitions, infrastructure upgrades, and conservation programs already underway in Utah.
No specific funding or policy details were announced in the dinner remarks, but the President’s strong personal interest has been welcomed by Utah leaders as a major boost for the state’s long-term restoration efforts.
This is a developing story. Life News Agency will continue to monitor any follow-up actions from the White House or Utah state government.
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