Kamala Harris was mocked online for the second time in two months after posting a Christmas photo of herself cooking in a kitchen with a gas stove.
Just last month, Harris was also heavily mocked when she posted a similar photo with her husband Doug Emhoff in the kitchen, again standing next to a gas stove.
The images angered Republicans, who reacted angrily earlier this year after a Biden-appointed safety official suggested authorities could ban gas stoves altogether because they are considered major polluters.
Although the proposal was quickly rejected by the White House, the vice president is now vulnerable to attack whenever she's in a picture – or even standing nearby.
In Monday's photo, Harris appeared to take steps to hide the fact that she was using a gas-powered appliance to cook Wellington beef – a fact that was not lost on users.
'Merry Christmas to everyone. May your day be filled with love, family and good food,” she wrote.
Kamala Harris posted a photo with husband Doug Emhoff in a kitchen where she appeared to be blocking a gas stove. The tactic was quickly seized upon by sharp-eyed Republicans
Georgia Rep. Mike Collins seems to notice every time the vice president is near a gas stove
Critics were appalled at the hypocrisy of seeing Harris standing next to a gas stove after Democrats made proposals to ban her in a few years
Mike Collins, a member of the House of Representatives who represents Georgia, quickly responded, writing on X: “Is this another gas stove?”
The vice president's efforts to cover up the oven were a fact that did no harm to his supporters.
“In the picture they're clearly trying to block their stove.” “So lame,” replied Matt Kakuk.
“After Thanksgiving, I can understand that,” Collins replied.
“Gas stove with red meat on it…exactly what they want to take away from Americans,” Tim Young said.
“You do it on a gas stove while your side wants to ban them.” They do that too when Americans are starving. You still don't understand. “Democrats = hypocrisy,” Savannah complained.
“I see you're using the gas stove you tried to ban us mortals from using,” one user explained.
“Rules for you, not me,” another added.
Just last month, Harris was also heavily mocked when she posted a similar photo with her husband Doug Emhoff in the kitchen, again standing next to a gas stove
In November, Collins quickly noticed Harris standing next to a gas stove
The head of the nation's top consumer regulator, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, said last year that his agency may take some regulatory action.
This came amid increasing research linking gas stoves to pollutants that harm both human health and the environment.
Republicans seized on the idea and claimed that the Biden administration wanted to ban gas stoves, something the White House had to deny after the memo surfaced.
Joe Biden said he does not support a ban on gas stoves, and White House spokesman Michael Kikukawa said, “The independent Consumer Product Safety Commission does not ban gas stoves.”
The saga began in October 2022, when Richard Trumka Jr., the Biden-appointed head of the consumer protection agency, wrote a memo to another commissioner saying there was enough evidence for the CPSC to begin the rulemaking process to ban new gas stoves could.
“The need to regulate gas stoves has reached a boiling point,” Trumka said.
Trumka claimed the agency “has a responsibility to ban consumer products that emit hazardous substances, particularly when those emissions harm children, under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.”
“The new findings are sufficient to conclude that household gas stoves emit toxic gases that cause illness and that cheaper and safer alternatives are available.”
“Every option is on the table.” “Products that cannot be made safe can be banned,” he said.
He later had to clarify that he had been talking about new products and that a retroactive ban on gas stoves was not being considered.
Joe Biden said he does not support a ban on gas stoves, and White House spokesman Michael Kikukawa said, “The independent Consumer Product Safety Commission does not ban gas stoves.”
The department is required to examine consumer products and assess their costs and impacts.
They don't impose bans on consumer goods, but rather say what the standards should look like in the future.
“As requested by Congress, the Department of Energy is proposing efficiency standards for gas and electric cooktops – we are not proposing bans on either,” a Department of Energy spokesperson said.
“The proposed standards would not take effect until 2027 and would save the country up to $1.7 billion overall.”
“Every major manufacturer has products that meet or exceed today’s proposed requirements.”