President Biden’s recent European trip prompts questions of hypocrisy when it comes to his political leadership on climate change prevention.
During his visit, he proclaimed that “It’s the only existential threat humanity faces, and we don’t have a lot of time.” However, despite this strong warning, Biden swiftly moved from the climate change summit in Lithuania to the U.S.-Nordic Leaders’ Summit in Finland in a massive 39-car motorcade full of gas-guzzling SUVs.
BIDEN on CLIMATE CHANGE: “It’s real! It’s serious! We don’t have a lot of time! It’s the single greatest threat to humanity!” pic.twitter.com/mzHYePilO5
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 12, 2023
The President’s entourage even flew in multiple planes to transport the vehicles, an expense that could not have done anything to stop global warming. This has led to real questions about Biden’s commitment to defending the environment, with some seeing this “rules for thee, not for me” attitude as another example of hypocrisy.
Speaking of hypocrisy, Biden’s climate change czar, John Kerry, was also found wanting when he claimed he has never “personally” owned a private jet – despite his family owning one for decades. Worse yet, Icelandic reporter Jóhann Bjarni Kolbeinsson confronted Kerry at the climate change summit and asked if “is that an environmental way to travel?” Kerry replied that it was the only choice, and even appeared to take pride in being awarded a prize for his “leadership” on climate change following the journey.
Such contradictions could put the U.S.’s environmental goals in doubt – if even the leader of the free world’s lackadaisical attitude towards climate change sets the standard, what hope do the rest of us have?
Biden’s European trip raises concerns that we are not serious about addressing climate change, and that those making policy may not actually care about the disasters that those policies are supposed to prevent. If the president is going to be an effective leader of the climate change movement, then he must personally abide by the same regulations he advocates and ensure that his image follows his message.
Until then, Biden’s contradictions will remain a dark spot on his policies and an open invitation for skeptics to continue to doubt the sincerity of his initiatives. It’s time for the president to live up to his rhetoric and start leading by example.
Here is a sped up video of Biden’s motorcade in Helsinski — which stretches at least 39 vehicles. pic.twitter.com/qoSNDf7l9b
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) July 12, 2023
