RFK Jr press dinner screaming match over climate crisis ends with columnist launching his own natural gas
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Host Doug Dechert said that he has zero tolerance for the climate hoax scam nonsense in any venue that I am personally funding. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Arguments at a press dinner for Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr. s presidential campaign became literally and figuratively explosive. The dinner, held at Tonys in New York City, descended into a screaming match when a guest asked the Democratic hopeful about the environment, Page Six reported. Mr Kennedy served as the former senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, a network of environmental organisations aiming to protect the worlds water. Doug Dechert, former gossip columinist and the events host, interjected: The climate hoax! The enraged yell prompted writer Anthony Haden-Guest to call the host a miserable blob, and ask him to Shut up! The pair have known each other for 30 years, the publication reported. As Mr Dechert screamed about the climate change scam and Mr Haden-Guest, in turn, called him f***ing insane and insignificant, the presidential hopeful calmly observed the situation, the outlet reported. The entire exchange came to an explosive end when Mr Dechert announced: Im farting! followed by a loud noise that suggested he wasnt lying. Page Six said former Ohio congressman and ex-mayor of Cleveland Dennis Kucinich, who was in attendance, appeared stunned by the entire exchange. When asked to comment on the climactic climate conversation, Mr Dechert told the outlet: I apologse for using my flatulence as a medium of public commentary in your presence. The host, who picked up the tab, also doubled down on his views, explaining he has zero tolerance for the climate hoax scam nonsense in any venue that I am personally funding. Mr Haden-Guest added his two cents on the evenings outbursts: Ive known Doug many years. We have had spats before about this and that. We are not quite the same politically, but that doesnt affect relationships in the UK. But I thought this was pretty ridiculous. The British-American critic continued, Doug said it was a hoax and scam. A scam for who? Who is benefiting? Thats not a political thing, its a human existence thing. He added that public arguments are unusual for him, but when it is preposterous and its a life-or-death issue with the planet, to treat it as a zany political thing is foolish. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies