Janice Dean, a senior meteorologist for Fox News, called out actor Ben Stiller for his mean-spirited tweets in response to her critique of those attending a birthday bash for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D).
Dean pointed out the fact that, while New Yorkers are subject to Cuomo’s stringent pandemic orders, which have closed restaurants, shuttered schools, and led to the demise of livelihoods across the state, he is hosting a party with ticket prices ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
The popular author and meteorologist has been a fierce critic of Cuomo because of a since-abandoned executive order mandating recovering COVID patients be placed in nursing homes and elder care facilities. The Democratic governor’s policy, which led to the deaths of both Dean’s mother-in-law and father-in-law, also banned administrators from requiring incoming patients “to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or re-admission.”
In July, Dean told Faithwire: “You can’t put a price on my loved ones. But I do want answers as to why this was mandated.”
Cuomo reversed the deadly decision May 10.
Stiller, seemingly ignorant of who Dean is or what she has experienced, ripped into the TV personality for saying anything critical of Cuomo.
“Nothing wrong with supporting a politician,” wrote Stiller in a since-deleted tweet. “As you know, the current president has been soliciting hundreds of millions to overturn the election, not for COVID relief. You wrote a book about spreading sunshine, apparently. You don’t like the governor. I do. Don’t be divisive. Bye.”
It’s worth noting, of course, that Dean’s book is about her personal battle with multiple sclerosis.
Dean replied to the “Meet the Parents” star, writing: “Nothing wrong with criticizing a politician who likes to profit off the deaths of New Yorkers. (He wrote a book, too, about ‘leadership’ during a pandemic). You’re right, I don’t like the governor because his policies help [sic] kill my parents. Enjoy your fundraiser.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” replied Stiller. “I’m not into coming down on people. You called me out. We are all dealing with this and I believe we need to be less divisive. All the best.”
Dean then pointed out Stiller’s hypocrisy, noting he seems “OK” with criticizing President Donald Trump but makes no allowances for those gravely impacted by the failed policies espoused by Cuomo.
Stiller ultimately apologized “for being ignorant of your circumstance,” adding, “I would not have replied to your tweet if I did. I wish you and your family all the best in this very hard time.”
The “Zoolander” actor wasn’t the only celebrity to go after Dean.
Patricia Arquette also ridiculed Dean, misrepresenting her words and turning it into a conversation about people wearing face masks.
“Do you think it helps businesses when idiots are running around NYC without masks?” Arquette wrote combatively. “In Manhattan, it’s like every 4th person isn’t wearing one. That’s what’s killing businesses.”
That, of course, is not what’s killing businesses. Rather, it’s Cuomo’s stringent lockdown measures that are doing that. And, for what it’s worth, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in late October the vast majority of Americans have, in fact, been wearing masks consistently.
“I would argue that most New Yorkers are adamant about mask wearing,” Dean told Arquette. “Not sure where you’re hanging out.”