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DONALD Trump was branded a hypocrite yesterday after it was revealed he owns shares in a major wind power firm.

The US tycoon and presidential hopeful, who went to war with former first minister Alex Salmond over plans to build wind turbines near his controversial golf resort in Aberdeenshire, has invested up to £64,000 in NextEra Energy.

The firm claim to be North America’s top producer of wind and solar energy.

Real estate magnate Trump is a fierce critic of wind farms and told MSPs in 2012 that they would lead to the “almost total destruction of Scotland’s tourism industry. ”

Last month, on a visit to his Turnberry course in Ayrshire , he again claimed wind farms would destroy some of the “great beauty of the world”.

Details of his investment emerged in documents lodged with the Federal Election Commission.

A spokesman for Trump, who is seeking the Republican nomination for next year’s presidential election, played down the revelation.

He said: “The report clearly states that Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management manage a portion of Mr Trump’s money and independently make investments on his behalf.

“The specific stocks chosen by Deutsche are done without his knowledge or involvement.”

But the news prompted a backlash from Trump’s opponents in Scotland.

Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie said: “He’s already proved himself to be an arrogant, delusional bully. I’m not at all surprised that we can add hypocrite to that list.”

The SNP said: “Investment in renewable energy is good for jobs, the economy and the environment and it is good to see Mr Trump now appears to recognise that extraordinary potential.”

The billionaire recently lost his legal battle against an 11-turbine offshore test facility that will be visible from his Balmedie course in Aberdeenshire.

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