Seth Rogen, Ted Cruz swap insults on Twitter over Paris Climate Accord, Disney's 'Fantasia'
Actor Seth Rogen did not mince words in a heated and lengthy Twitter exchange with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, that covered everything from the Paris Climate Accord to Disney's "Fantasia."
The dispute began last week when Rogen dubbed Cruz a "fascist" in profane terms for claiming President Joe Biden's choice to rejoin the accord indicated he was "more interested views of the citizens of Paris than in the jobs of the citizens of Pittsburgh."
The name "Paris Climate Accord" refers to the city in which the deal was signed in 2015 by leaders of more than 200 nations, including President Barack Obama. Scientists and world leaders say the agreement's plans for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide will prevent a dangerous increase in global temperatures. Many Republicans believe the Paris accord unfairly limits American job and economic growth with little concrete return.
Cruz responded to Rogen's tweet on Wednesday, calling it a "charming, civil, educated response."
He added: "If you’re a rich, angry Hollywood celebrity, today’s Dems are the party for you. If you’re blue-collar, if you’re a union member, if you work in energy or manufacturing ... not so much."
Rogen is in "four unions," the actor replied.
USA TODAY has reached out to Rogen's and Cruz's representatives for further comment.
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The back and forth continued for several days. Cruz at one point tweeted about how the 1941 Disney film "Fantasia" made him cry when he was 4.
"Everyone who made that film would hate you," Rogen replied.
Cruz countered, "They're all dead. So I think we're good," and noted that Walt Disney was a Republican. Historians have noted that Disney voted Republican later in his adult life and actively worked with the Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, a group of conservatives in Hollywood that stated its mission was to protect the country from fascism and communism.
Cruz added to Rogen: "Even though you behave online like a Marxist with Tourette’s ... your movies are typically pretty funny. I’m sure you hate that I enjoy them."
Rogen noted that Tourette's runs in his family. "VERY few cases of Tourette’s manifest in uncontrollable swearing. Most cases, like mine, manifest in twitching," he tweeted.
The National Institute of Health describes Tourette syndrome as a "neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics." It estimates that only about 10% to 15% of those with the disorder have coprolalia, the "uttering" of "socially inappropriate words" including expletives.
Contributing: Joel Shannon
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ted Cruz, Seth Rogen trade jabs about Paris Climate Accord, 'Fantasia'
