Breaking Wind in the House: Politicians and Public Flatulence
In the world of politics, maintaining a polished, dignified image is of utmost importance. However, even the most distinguished politicians are, after all, human, and are susceptible to the occasional embarrassments that befall us all. Among these, farting during speeches is a rare but amusing occurrence that can add unexpected levity to the often serious political landscape. This article takes a lighthearted look at several instances when politicians broke more than just their speeches.
1. Joe Biden
American President Joe Biden allegedly had a windy mishap during the COP26 summit in November 2021. According to the British tabloid ‘The Daily Mail’, Biden broke wind while speaking with the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker Bowles. However, this alleged incident didn’t occur during a speech, and neither party has ever confirmed the event.
2. Eric Swalwell
In November 2019, Congressman Eric Swalwell became a trending topic on Twitter after an apparent fart during a live interview on MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews”. Swalwell denied the allegation, and MSNBC attributed the sound to a mug scraping across the desk. Despite the explanations, the incident gave birth to the trending hashtag #FartGate and provided some comedic relief in the midst of an impeachment inquiry into President Trump.
3. Tony Blair
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was caught in a rather awkward situation in 2015. During a live interview on the breakfast show ‘Good Morning Britain’, viewers noticed a suspicious noise in the background just as Blair was giving a serious talk about terrorism. Though Blair didn’t acknowledge the sound, viewers speculated it was a fart, leading to a slew of humorous responses on social media.
4. Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage, former leader of the UK Independence Party, allegedly farted during a live radio show in 2014. A fellow guest on the show, journalist and broadcaster Jon Gaunt, claimed in a column for ‘The Sun’ that Farage had let one rip. Farage, however, vehemently denied the accusation.
5. Jair Bolsonaro
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro allegedly farted during a live broadcast in 2020. Social media users quickly jumped on the incident, sharing the video and joking about the unexpected interruption. The video clip does seem to show Bolsonaro pausing mid-sentence as a suspicious noise can be heard. However, Bolsonaro himself has never confirmed or denied whether he was the source of the sound.
While these incidents may be embarrassing for the politicians involved, they serve as a reminder that even in the world of politics, where poise and decorum are paramount, human nature has a way of asserting itself. Even amidst the gravity and earnestness of political dialogue, there’s always room for a bit of humor and a touch of the unexpected. As these incidents show, whether it’s a fart or a slip of the tongue, politics will never be completely devoid of lighter moments.
