Major Controversies Surrounding Al Gore: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Al Gore.

Al Gore served as the 45th U.S. Vice President under Bill Clinton (1993-2001). Before that, he represented Tennessee in both the House (1977-1985) and the Senate (1985-1993). He was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2000, losing to George W. Bush in a highly contested election despite winning the popular vote. Beyond his political career, Gore is a businessman and is known as a prominent environmental activist, advocating for climate change awareness and solutions.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1981: Comments on Homosexuality

In 1981, Al Gore made comments stating that homosexuality was "wrong" and "not just another normal optional life style."

1984: Position on Homosexuality

In his 1984 Senate race, Al Gore stated that he did not believe homosexuality was "simply an acceptable alternative that society should affirm" and that he would not take campaign funds from gay rights groups.

1993: Clipper Chip Advocacy

During 1993, Al Gore was tapped by the administration to advocate for the adoption of the Clipper Chip, a technology developed by the National Security Agency designed to provide for law enforcement access to encrypted communications. After political and technical objections, the initiative was essentially dropped.

1996: Involvement in "Chinagate" campaign finance controversy

In 1996, Al Gore became involved in a "Chinagate" campaign finance controversy due to his attendance at an event at the Buddhist Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California. A U.S. Department of Justice investigation uncovered evidence that Chinese agents sought to direct contributions from foreign sources to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) before the 1996 presidential campaign.

March 1997: Gore explains phone calls soliciting funds for Democratic Party

In March 1997, Al Gore had to explain phone calls he made to solicit funds for the Democratic Party for the 1996 election. He stated that all calls were charged to the Democratic National Committee and that his counsel advised there was no legal violation.

1998: FBI agents denied opportunity to question Gore

In 1997 and 1998, FBI agents were denied the opportunity to ask President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore questions during Justice Department interviews regarding the "Chinagate" controversy.

1999: Interview leading to "invented the Internet" urban legend

In 1999, an interview with Al Gore led to the urban legend that he claimed to have "invented the Internet".

2000: Investigation into Gore's fund-raising controversies

In Spring 2000, Robert Conrad Jr., head of a Justice Department task force, asked Attorney General Janet Reno to appoint an independent counsel to continue the investigation into Al Gore's fund-raising controversies. Reno judged that the appointment was unwarranted.

2000: Loss in 2000 Presidential Election

In the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore, the Democratic nominee, lost to Republican nominee George W. Bush, despite winning the popular vote. The Supreme Court ruling in Bush v. Gore ended the recount process.

2002: Gore Criticizes Bush Administration's Rush to War

In 2002, Al Gore began publicly criticizing the Bush administration. In a September 23, 2002 speech before the Commonwealth Club of California, Gore criticized Bush and Congress for their rush to war in Iraq, comparing it to the 1991 Persian Gulf War, in which Gore had voted in favor of the resolution.

2004: Gore Accuses Bush of Betrayal Over Iraq War Justification

In 2004, during the presidential election year, Al Gore accused George W. Bush of betraying the country by using the 9/11 attacks as a justification for the invasion of Iraq.

2005: Gore Criticizes Religious Zealots and Bush's Katrina Response

In 2005, Al Gore gave a speech addressing various topics, including what he termed "religious zealots" in American politics. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Gore chartered planes to evacuate 270 people from New Orleans and criticized the Bush administration's handling of the disaster.

2006: Gore Criticizes Bush's Wiretapping and Treatment of Arabs

In 2006, Al Gore criticized President Bush's use of domestic wiretaps without a warrant. A month later, in a speech at the Jeddah Economic Forum, Gore criticized the treatment of Arabs in the U.S. after 9/11, stating that there had been "terrible abuses".

2007: Criticism for energy consumption and conflicts of interest

In 2007, Al Gore faced criticism regarding his above-average energy consumption from private jets and large homes. Allegations of conflict of interest arose due to his advocacy for green-energy technologies in which he had personal investments.

2007: British court case regarding An Inconvenient Truth

In 2007, a British judge ruled that while "An Inconvenient Truth" was broadly accurate, nine alleged errors required guidance notes for schoolchildren in the UK to balance its political views.

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2008: Wolf Blitzer clarifies the 'invented the internet' quote

In 2008, Wolf Blitzer, who conducted the original 1999 interview, stated that Al Gore's comment about creating the Internet was distorted by his enemies and hurt him.

2009: Misrepresenting Scientific Data

During the COP15 climate change conference in Copenhagen in 2009, Al Gore cited research from Dr. Wieslaw Maslowski to claim a high probability of an ice-free Arctic summer within a few years. Reuters later found that Gore was guilty of misrepresenting scientific data or "spreading misinformation".

2009: Gore Comments on Cheney's Criticism of Obama Administration

In 2009, Al Gore commented on former Vice President Dick Cheney's criticism of the Obama administration during an interview with CNN. Gore referenced his own past criticism of the Bush administration, noting that he waited two years after leaving office to make critical statements.

2009: Gore describes court ruling as being "in my favor"

In 2009, Al Gore described the British court ruling regarding 'An Inconvenient Truth' as being "in my favor".

2012: Sale of Current TV to Al Jazeera

In 2012, Al Gore faced criticism for selling his television channel, Current TV, to Al Jazeera for around $100 million. Al Jazeera is funded by the government of Qatar, which is a nation largely dependent on income from the fossil fuel industry.