Former Vice President Kamala Harris recently stirred up quite a conversation during a shopping trip in Westwood, California, with her husband, Doug Emhoff. The couple was seen at the well-known 99 Ranch Market Asian grocery store, but what grabbed everyone’s attention was their use of plastic bags, a decision that left many surprised considering Harris’s known stance on environmental matters.
Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff use plastic bags for post-VP grocery run https://t.co/dsowdc3HPg pic.twitter.com/lLMybL1mQe
— New York Post (@nypost) January 23, 2025
At 60, Harris has been outspoken about environmental issues, once promoting a ban on plastic straws back during her 2019 run for the presidency. This led to a wave of reactions from both fans and environmentalists, who were quick to voice their disappointment on the matter, pointing out the apparent inconsistency of using plastic bags during the couple’s grocery run.
The outing, which was notably simple, also revived conversations about the state of Harris and Emhoff’s marriage, as rumors have been following the couple for some time. However, this recent event has mainly spotlighted environmental issues instead.
Social media lit up with various opinions. One comment read, “WTF? Is that Kamala Harris toting a #plastic bag of groceries?? What an out-of-touch HYPOCRITE with zero self-awareness!” This is just one of many similar sentiments that have been circulating online.
The controversy stems from what seems to be a contradiction to Harris’s previous statements and advocacy efforts regarding the environment. Back in September 2019, during a CNN climate town hall, she supported the idea of banning single-use plastics. When asked about her stance, she clearly said, “I think we should, yes.”
She did, however, acknowledge the existing challenges when it comes to eco-friendly alternatives, humorously noting the difficulty of using paper straws. Harris admitted, “It’s difficult to drink out of a paper straw,” and mentioned there was room for progress in developing more sustainable options, adding, “We gotta kind of perfect that one a little bit more.”
This supermarket visit has sparked fresh debates on how public figures balance their personal actions with their public advocacies, especially in the realm of environmental responsibility. This incident further accentuates ongoing discussions about how Harris aligns her personal choices with her public commitments to environmental issues.
