In a recent turn of events, a campaign dinner for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Democratic presidential candidate, devolved into an unexpected spectacle of heated debates and bizarre disruptions. The evening, intended to be a platform for Kennedy to discuss his political agenda, was overshadowed by a raucous exchange between two guests, culminating in a rather unusual form of protest.

The dinner, hosted by Doug Dechert, a former gossip columnist for the New York Post and current PR representative, was proceeding smoothly until a question about the environment was posed to Kennedy. Dechert, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, erupted into a tirade against what he termed "The climate hoax!" His outburst startled fellow guest, art critic Anthony Haden-Guest, who had been quietly enjoying the evening.

Haden-Guest, a long-time acquaintance of Dechert, responded with a barrage of verbal rebukes, calling Dechert a "miserable blob" and urging him to "shut up." However, Dechert remained undeterred, continuing his loud protestations against climate change. In a bizarre twist, Dechert punctuated his rant with a loud, prolonged emission of gas, leaving the other guests, including journalists and Kennedy's campaign manager, former Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, visibly taken aback.

Kennedy, who is challenging President Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, remained silent throughout the incident. The situation seemed to stabilize until another guest broached the topic of climate change, triggering another round of shouting between Dechert and Haden-Guest.

The following day, Dechert offered an apologetic comment to Page Six, expressing regret for his unconventional form of protest. However, he remained steadfast in his rejection of what he called the "climate hoax scam nonsense."

This incident, while unusual, is not the only controversy surrounding Kennedy's campaign. The presidential hopeful has been criticized for his promotion of various conspiracy theories and misinformation. Kennedy has been known to share a range of unfounded claims, from Wi-Fi causing cancer to antidepressants being responsible for school shootings. He has also suggested that chemicals in the water supply could turn children transgender, and that AIDS may not be caused by HIV.

Despite the lack of credible evidence supporting these assertions, Kennedy has built his campaign around these conspiracy theories, arguing that any criticism or fact-checking of his claims amounts to censorship. He has positioned himself as a truth-teller in a world where "they" (the government, pharmaceutical companies, the media) are lying to the public.

Kennedy's campaign strategy appears to be leveraging the dynamics that elevated him and the anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. His campaign did not respond to NPR's questions regarding these issues.

Kennedy's campaign, while attracting some attention, remains a long-shot. His poll numbers among Democrats range from 8% to 20%. Whether this represents genuine support or simply a fondness for the Kennedy family name remains to be seen. However, his campaign has certainly made headlines, albeit for reasons that may not be beneficial to his presidential aspirations.