Greg Gutfeld and guests were joined by GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy ahead of the Iowa caucuses on ‘Gutfeld!’ However, the town hall event held by Ramaswamy in West Des Moines was disrupted by climate protesters, adding to the ongoing trend of such interruptions on the campaign trail. At least six protesters were spotted attempting to shout down the biotech entrepreneur, with some holding signs that read “Vivek: Climate Criminal.” The protesters chanted slogans like “The planet is on fire!” and “Vivek is a liar!”
In videos captured during the event, Ramaswamy can be seen engaging with the hostile attendees. The clash ensued after the protesters claimed that Ramaswamy receives money from fossil fuels, an accusation he vehemently denied. One protester even challenged Ramaswamy, saying, “You say you care about our future and that little girl’s future – how much money would it cost for you to actually care about us?” In response, Ramaswamy urged for a respectful discussion, stating, “If you want to have a seat and we can have a respectful discussion, we can do that.”
Despite Ramaswamy’s efforts to maintain a civil discourse, the disruptive protesters were eventually forced out of the event. Ramaswamy’s spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin, commented on the incident, emphasizing the importance of free speech principles and stating that Ramaswamy is a “free speech absolutist.”
This incident follows similar disruptions by climate protesters at an event held by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis earlier in the week. DeSantis even made a quip about the tackled protester, highlighting what he perceived as flaws in the college system.
As the Iowa caucuses draw near, the snowy and freezing conditions could potentially impact turnout. According to the RealClearPolitics average of polls, former President Trump holds a commanding lead among Iowa Republicans, with 53% of support. Former U.N. Ambassador follows at a distant second with approximately 18% support, while DeSantis closely trails at 15.5%, and Ramaswamy at 6.5%.
In the midst of the campaign trail, GOP hopefuls are vying to exceed expectations and secure valuable support ahead of the caucuses. The clash with climate protesters adds another layer of complexity to the already competitive race.
Joseph A. Wulfsohn, a media reporter for Digital, contributed to this article. For story tips, contact [email protected] or follow him on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn. Stay updated with the latest from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to our newsletter.
