Local parisian politician and journalist Audrey Pulvar speaks at a campaign rally in Paris on Jan. 14, 2026. (Martin Lelievre – AFP / Getty Images)
By Michael Austin July 13, 2026 at 4:00am
When an official in Paris blamed the United States for a heatwave impacting Europe in recent days, she received a whole new type of heat from countless scorching internet memes.
Audrey Pulvar, the deputy mayor of Paris for international relations, wrote on social media that the United States bears a “significant amount of responsibility” as a major greenhouse gas emitter.
“Dear American journalists and social media ‘influencers’: for days, some of you have been criticising and making fun of Paris because the city does not have A/C in every room,” she wrote.
“So please, enough with the lecture. Just start doing your part,” Pulvar added.
Americans instantly let Pulvar — and other European socialists — know how they were doing their part.
“I have my air conditioners set to freezing,” one user said, along with a picture of George Washington crossing the frigid Delaware River.
I have my air conditioners set to freezing. pic.twitter.com/mWpbj2rsTf
— David Santa Carla 🦇 (@TheOnlyDSC) June 29, 2026
“American Exceptionalism: Air Conditioning,” another user said, along with an edited video of Nicolas Cage enjoying an A/C unit.
American Exceptionalism: Air Conditioning https://t.co/16VC8vVlvI pic.twitter.com/PAafChnBXu
— Yuri Bezmenov’s Ghost (@Ne_pas_couvrir) July 4, 2026
Daily Wire podcast host Matt Walsh refused to pull any punches.
“Air conditioning is one of the great blessings of living in a modern civilized society. It’s an American invention,” he wrote.
“One of our many beautiful contributions to the world. Being against air conditioning is anti-American, communist, and also retarded.”
Air conditioning is one of the great blessings of living in a modern civilized society. It’s an American invention. One of our many beautiful contributions to the world. Being against air conditioning is anti-American, communist, and also retarded. https://t.co/qNCooH2I8n
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) July 2, 2026
While officials in Paris complained about air conditioning usage an ocean away, deaths in France soared 30 percent during the hottest week of the heatwave, per a report from The Guardian.
There were 2,025 added deaths from the prior week — nearly doubling the estimated 1,000 excess deaths.
Other countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, likewise saw surging deaths, especially among elderly people.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
Michael wrote for several entertainment news outlets before joining The Western Journal in 2020. He now serves as Managing Editor, which involves managing the editorial team and operations, guiding the publication’s editorial direction, and writing, editing, curating and assigning stories as needed.
Birthplace
Ames, Iowa
Nationality
American
Education
Iowa State University
Topics of Expertise
Cultural Politics, Pop Culture, Christian-Conservatism
