Former Secretary of State John Kerry called Fox Host Greg Gutfeld a “complete fool” during an argument on Twitter over the weekend about President Donald Trump’s decision to skip a Saturday visit to a historic U.S. cemetery in France because of inclement weather.
In response, Gutfeld silenced Kerry by reminding the former top diplomat of the awkward time he sent folk singer James Taylor to Paris to sing “You’ve Got a Friend” after the 2015 Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack instead of a top government official.
Gutfeld also appeared to bring up accusations of stolen valor against Kerry over his Vietnam service record.
Fox host shuts down John Kerry
The exchange began when Kerry lambasted Trump for canceling a scheduled stop at a memorial site for fallen American soldiers near Belleau Wood, France, a criticism that was echoed by many of the president’s critics over the weekend. The White House said that president’s helicopter, Marine One, was not able to fly to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial because of bad weather, and added on Sunday that a trip by car was not logistically feasible.
“President [Trump] a no-show because of raindrops?” Kerry said. “Those veterans the president didn’t bother to honor fought in the rain, in the mud, in the snow – [and] many died in trenches for the cause of freedom. Rain didn’t stop them [and] it shouldn’t have stopped an American president.”
But Kerry is no diplomat himself, despite his former title. In a stinging reply, Gutfeld reminded the former secretary of State of the time he failed to send a top-ranking official to a rally of national unity in France after the attack.
U didn’t stop ISIS. you sent James Taylor. Plug your knothole, Captain Driftwood. https://t.co/iTe5cyfuE9
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) November 11, 2018
Kerry was widely mocked when he brought along Taylor to perform his famous version of the Carole King song, “You’ve Got a Friend,” while France was still reeling from the massacre. The awkward gesture was widely seen as a weak attempt by the Obama administration to make up for the first faux pas of not sending a head of state to the Charlie Hebdo rallies, as dozens of other countries had done.
Kerry rankled by “Swiftboat” reference
The James Taylor incident wasn’t the only controversy Gutfeld mentioned. His mention of “Captain Driftwood” was a reference to Kerry’s military service record, the Daily Caller noted.
Kerry was in the Navy from 1966 to 1970 and was awarded medals for a four-month tour as the commander of a “swift boat” in the Vietnam War, after which he returned home to oppose the conflict.
The “Swift Boat” controversy cast a shadow over his failed presidential bid in 2004 when Kerry was accused of exaggerating his service by a group of Vietnam swift boat veterans, including his own comrades, Swift Vets, and POWs for Truth. Apparently still stung by the “Swiftboat” controversy, Kerry fired back at Gutfeld the next day.
“Happy Veterans Day, Greg. I’m glad that all of us who served in uniform fought to defend your freedom to be a complete fool on Twitter,” he replied.
Gutfeld merely responded with a link to “You’ve Got a Friend,” as performed by James Taylor.
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