Many liberals, including celebrities and politicians, on Twitter pointed fingers at climate change and Republicans after the devastating tornadoes that decimated at least 70 people in western Kentucky.
Eric Swalwell, a Democratic Representative, used the tragedy as an opportunity to attack Rand Paul, the Republican Senator from Kentucky. He accused him of not caring for Americans in need.
We should do all we can to help our Kentucky neighbors. God be with them — they are hurting. But do not for one second forget that @RandPaul has voted against helping most Americans most times they’re in need. https://t.co/JkZQOZ4HuG
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) December 12, 2021
“We should do all we can to help our Kentucky neighbors. God be with them — they are hurting,” Swalwell tweeted. “But do not for one second forget that @RandPaul has voted against helping most Americans most times they’re in need.”
Noel Scovell, a former writer and producer for Late Night With David Letterman, also blamed Paul and fellow Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, who also represents Kentucky.
“Sorry Kentucky,” Scovell tweeted. “Maybe if your 2 senators hadn’t spent decades blocking legislation to reduce climate change, you wouldn’t be suffering from climate disasters. If it’s any consolation, McConnell and Rand have f’ed over all of us, too.”
But then he deleted the tweet!
Jemele Hill, a former ESPN host, encouraged Democrats to use the tornado to attack Sen. Paul politically.
“We know @RandPaul is a heartless hypocrite,” Hill tweeted. “The people in Kentucky deserve the relief regardless of their buffoonish leadership, but if the Dems don’t use this against him and his party in the future, it is a missed opportunity.”
We know @RandPaul is a heartless hypocrite. The people in Kentucky deserve the relief regardless of their buffoonish leadership, but if the Dems don’t use this against him and his party in the future, it is a missed opportunity. https://t.co/G61GrsNfFq
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 11, 2021
President Biden claimed that climate changes were to blame for the tragedy. He stated, “All I know is the intensity of weather across the board has some effects as a result of the warming planet and climate change.”
Actor Mark Ruffalo also blamed climate change for the tornado.
“This is what #ClimateCatastrophe looks like,” Ruffalo tweeted. “It’s only going to get worse from here. Now is time to fight for our suffering and despairing youth.”
This is what #ClimateCatastrophe looks like. It’s only going to get worse from here. Now is time to fight for our suffering and despairing youth. https://t.co/GmSvAmawRt
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) December 11, 2021
Rachel Vindman (co-host of Suburban Women Problem) and the wife of Alexander Vindman (retired United States Army lieutenant colonel), called the tornadoes “directly a result of climate change.
“Climate Change: What does it look like?” Vindman asked. “This is absolutely heartbreaking & it’s a direct result of climate change. Believe me, I know it’s tempting to scream, yell & question why people are so slow to accept reality but we must have conversations w/ skeptics.”
Climate Change: What does it look like?
— Rachel Vindman (@natsechobbyist) December 11, 2021
This is absolutely heartbreaking & it's a direct result of climate change. Believe me, I know it's tempting to scream, yell & question why people are so slow to accept reality but we must have conversations w/ skeptics. https://t.co/fIBVet8tDL
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear stated that one tornado struck Western Kentucky for over 200 miles in a sustained fashion. At least four other tornadoes also struck the state that night.
He also stated that the death toll could be between 70 and 100 across five or more countries.
“This morning, I was briefed on the devastating tornadoes across the central U.S. To lose a loved one in a storm like this is an unimaginable tragedy,” President Biden tweeted. “We’re working with Governors to ensure they have what they need as the search for survivors and damage assessments continue.”
