Do As I Say, Not As I Do - 10 Times U.S. Politicians Were Blatant Hypocrits

Because nothing says leadership like a double standard.

In politics, hypocrisy is almost a rite of passage. Whether it’s preaching family values while behaving scandalously, or calling for climate action from a private jet, many elected officials have said one thing  and done the opposite. 

Here are some of the most glaring and widely criticized examples of political hypocrisy in recent U.S. history.

1. Bernie Sanders: Power to the People! (But I’m Vacationing at House #3)

America’s favorite socialist grandpa rails against millionaires... even though he is one.

• Rhetoric: “Millionaires should not exist.”
• Reality: Owns three homes and became a millionaire in 2019 from book sales.
• Bernie 2020: "There should be no Billionaires."
• Defense: “I wrote a best-selling book. Deal with it.”

Source: CNBC

2. John Kerry: Save the Planet! (I'm too important to try)

As Biden’s climate czar, Kerry flew private to warn you about your carbon footprint.

• Rhetoric: Urges global action on climate change and carbon reduction. "We all need to do better."
• Reality: Took a private jet to climate summits.
• Defense: Claimed it was the only option for someone in his position.

The plane is his wife's, but that shouldn't stop Kerry from flying coach.

Source: Fox News

3. Gavin Newsom – Lock It Down! Everyone Avoid Gatherings (except for me) 

California was shut tight  unless you were a governor with a craving for fine wine and lobbyists.

• Rhetoric: Urged Californians to avoid gatherings during COVID lockdowns.
• Reality:  Newsom attended a lavish indoor dinner with lobbyists at The French Laundry.
• Defense: The French Laundry has a mask policy (Only he didn't wear one.)

Apparently the lobbiests had reservations —about giving Newsom campaign money.

Source

4. AOC – Anti-Capitalist, Designer-Wearing Darling of Vogue

The Democrat Senator perpetuates the idolization of designer clothing by modeling expensive outfits on magazine covers.

• Rhetoric: Calls capitalism immoral and criticizes wealth inequality.
• Reality: Appeared in Vanity Fair wearing outfits totaling over $14,000 (loaned for the shoot).
• Defense: Standard practice for editorial photo shoots.

I wonder what that does to the self esteem of young women who look up to AOC, but can't affford the clothes she wears.

Source: Vanity Fair

5. Barack Obama on Executive Orders

Democrats watched in dismay as President George W. Bush used war to expand presidential power and Barack Obama vowed to end the practice.

• Rhetoric:  “The biggest problems we’re facing right now have to do with George Bush trying to bring more and more power into the executive branch.” —Obama, 2008
• Reality:  Issues 276 executive orders himself (2016)
• Defense: Hope no one notices

Do as I say, not as I decree. When Obama promised to limit power, he didn't mean his own, silly!

Source

6. Elizabeth Warren: Identity Crisis

The U.S. Senator from Massechusettes claims to be Cherokee Indian.

• Rhetoric:“I’m a woman of color.”—Harvard employment record
• Reality:  DNA test revealed  she is 99.9 percent European. Even the 1% is suspect according to Native American geneticists. 
• Defense: She grew up hearing that her mother's family had Native American ancestry.

Maybe Trump should call her "Pilgrim" instead of "Pocahontas."

  Nicknames with racial origins are wrong.

7. Nancy Pelosi: Salons for Me, Not for Thee

Americans were banned from haircuts. Pelosi, however, booked the deluxe hypocrisy package.

• Rhetoric:“We should be taking every precaution”—Pelosi on House floor
• Reality: Caught on camera without a mask, salon-blowout about to commence.
• Defense: “I was set up by..." the shampoo?

Hey Nancy! Your roots are showing.

8. Dianne Feinstein on Guns

• Rhetoric: “Weapons of war don’t belong on our streets.” —Feinstein, 2019
• Reality: Had concealed carry permit and a handgun
• Defense:  "if somebody was going to try to take me out I was going to take them with me."  —Feinstein, 1995

When you're anti-gun... but pro-having-one-just-in-case.

Source

9. Ted Cruz: Flees to Mexico

Sen. Cruise took his daughters to sunny Cancun, Mexico, abandoning millions of Texans who had no power, heat or water during a deadly winter storm.

• Rhetoric:  "...wrap your pipes, cover your plants, stay off icy roads & keep your family safe." —Ted Cruz Feb 2021 tweet
• Reality: "If it gets too damn cold, join me in Cancun." —also Ted Cruz Feb 2021 tweet
• Defense: "I was just trying to be a good dad."

Worst timing, ever. Everyone else was literally boiling snow for water.

Source

10. Rep. Lauren Boebert: Rated R for Republican

Preaches family values, then gets kicked out of Bettlejuice The Musical for groping her date and vaping.

• Rhetoric: "I believe that strong family values are the foundation of American society"
• Reality: She's  a divorced teenage-mom-now-grandmother to her teenage son's baby, but can't keep her hands to herself and set a good example at a family musical.
• Defense: Her actions weren't meant to be malicious or hurt anyone.

Source

Hipocrisy Honorable Mentions:

• Nancy Pelosi condemning border walls… while maintaining one around her property.
• Mitt Romney denouncing Trump before cozying up when he hears he might be tapped for Secretary of State.
• AOC condemning capitalism while selling $65 “Tax the Rich” sweatshirts.

Final Thought

In the world of politics, the only thing more reliable than a bad decision... is the backpedal that follows.