Environmentalists petition Bill Nye not to attend Trump SOTU

TV host Bill Nye “The Science Guy” is riling a number of environmentalists over his decision to attend President Trump’s first State of the Union address as a guest of a Republican congressman.

Representatives for ClimateTruth.org, Climate Hawks Vote and Demand Progress delivered petitions with over 35,000 signatures to Nye on Friday that expressed how “bewildered and disappointed” supporters were by his decision to attend the speech on Jan. 30, according to a statement. 

The text of one of multiple petitions urged the scientist to cancel his plans to attend. Nye has in the past been a vocal opponent of the Trump administration over climate change.

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“Bill, please be the Science Guy, not the Bigoted Climate Denial Guy. Cancel your plans to attend Trump’s State of the Union as Rep. Bridenstine’s guest,” part of one letter read.

Nye plans to attend as the guest of Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), who is Trump’s pick to head NASA. Bridenstine has met a number of roadblocks in his nomination process. Last year, his nomination was narrowly voted out of committee but the Senate has yet to take up a full vote for fear that there are not enough votes for him to pass.

In a statement, the petitioners called Nye’s attendance with Bridenstine a “tacit endorsement of his controversial nomination and history of climate denial and bigotry.”

Nye did not return requests for comment from The Hill.

The host previously said he was “pleased” to attend the SOTU with Bridenstine.

“I have enjoyed a productive working relationship with Congressman Bridenstine on space issues,” Nye said in a statement last week. “At the State of the Union address, I hope to hear the president present plans for an ambitious, science-driven space exploration agenda. Space exploration brings out the best in us. It brings the nation together as we solve problems that have never been solved before and learn more about the cosmos and our place within it.”