Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, on Fox News on Monday criticized Democrats for portraying Olympian cross-country skier Gus Schumacher as a climate expert.
Kennedy appeared on “Hannity” to talk about recent hearings on climate change, and Schumacher testified about the “nature of climate costs” the issue is allegedly having on winter sports. Fox host Sean Hannity asked the Louisiana senator whether Democrats were trying to feature Schumacher as an “expert” during the hearing. (Related article: John Kennedy criticizes past post calling for ‘abolition of police’ during climate hearing)
“Yes. Sean, I think Mr. Schumacher is a great skier. And I have no doubt that he’s a fine young man, but I don’t know if my Democratic colleagues are going to advise us on climate change legislation. The fact remains that Mr. Schumacher was invited to testify before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee as an expert on the United States. And Mr. Schumacher was unable to defend or substantiate his rhetoric. “I think it’s an example of the Kardashianization of,” Kennedy said.
“I don’t mean to be cruel, but after listening to Mr. Schumacher’s testimony, I was like, what can I say about this immoral pop singer and movie star who was partying with Harvey Weinstein and constantly lecturing the American people? I was very reminded of that. Some people have to lie down when they think too hard. I’m sorry that Mr. Schumacher had a hard day, but I don’t care if he can’t claim or defend his position as an expert. You shouldn’t have an opinion.”
A video clip of Kennedy pressuring Schumacher during testimony last week went viral after Kennedy dug up the skier’s old social media posts about Black Lives Matter and police abolition. At the hearing, Schumacher said climate change is jeopardizing the “economic survival of communities that rely on winter tourism” due to “dramatic changes in winter sports conditions and unpredictable impacts.” insisted.
