Al Gore Reacted to Commerce Secretary’s Davos Remarks, Report Says

Former Vice President Al Gore reacted after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick delivered combative remarks at a World Economic Forum dinner in Davos on Jan. 20, People reports. The Financial Times said Lutnick was dismissive about Europe and argued the world should prioritize coal over renewable energy, prompting "widespread jeering," walkouts and heckling that led host Larry Fink to ask people to calm down; FT reported that European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde left the room.

Gore said he "sat and listened" and "didn't interrupt him in any way" while Lutnick was speaking, adding, "It’s no secret that I think this administration’s energy policy is insane... And at the end of his speech I reacted with how I felt, and so did several others." The U.S. Department of Commerce disputed FT's account, saying, "Only one person booed, and it was Al Gore."

At the forum the following day, President Donald Trump called for "immediate negotiations" for the U.S. to acquire Greenland but said, "I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force." After that speech Gore told a reporter, "I would hate to be the fact checker that had to go through that speech." Gore has been an outspoken critic of the administration, and the report notes prior public remarks in which he sharply criticized current policies and leadership.

Key Topics

Politics, Al Gore, Howard Lutnick, World Economic Forum, Donald Trump, Energy Policy