In the midst of an above-average summer heatwave, former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, took to Twitter to lash out at “MAGA Republicans” for the scorching temperatures affecting communities nationwide. Her tweet was in response to a post by the left-wing think tank Center for American Progress, accusing Republicans of exacerbating the climate crisis by voting against the Democrats’ $739 billion climate package, which President Biden signed into law in 2022.
“Hot enough for you? Thank a MAGA Republican. Or better yet, vote them out of office,” Clinton tweeted on Tuesday.
While Democrats have been quick to attribute the heatwave to climate change, some climate experts hold differing views. Ryan Maue, the former top climate scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, contested the notion that heatwaves are unprecedented, pointing out that they have occurred throughout history. Maue took to Twitter to state, “Without climate change, July’s summer heat in the U.S. Southwest would have been ‘virtually impossible.'” He highlighted that similar heatwaves have occurred in the past, including in the 1920s, 1930s, 1950s, 1980s, 1990s, 2012, 2020, and more.
Clinton’s tweet also came under scrutiny for its timing, as it followed closely after a New York Times editorial urging leaders to “politicize the weather.” This led to further debate on the politicization of climate issues and the role of public figures in shaping public opinion on the matter.
The heatwave, which is set to be the hottest week of the summer, has raised concerns about the well-being of millions of Americans, particularly on the East Coast. According to the FOX Forecast Center, over 75% of the nation is experiencing warmer-than-average temperatures, affecting more than 260 million Americans.
Despite the widespread impact of the heatwave, the temperatures are not expected to break any records. While Democrats continue to blame climate change, skeptics argue that it is essential to consider historical weather patterns and natural climate variations in understanding current events.
The debate over the causes and implications of the heatwave persists, with polarized views from different segments of the political spectrum. Climate change remains a deeply divisive issue in American politics, and the heatwave has only intensified the discussions surrounding it.
Hot enough for you?
Thank a MAGA Republican.
Or better yet, vote them out of office. https://t.co/0MFC6rPq6o
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 25, 2023
