Former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden told an audience on Friday he plans to "end fossil fuel" when asked about his attendance at a fundraiser hosted by the co-founder of a natural gas company the day before.
"How can we trust that you're going to act on the climate crisis if you're still attending fundraisers that fossil fuel executives like Andy Goldman are at," asked a climate activist during a campaign event in New Castle, New Hampshire.
Biden approached the young woman that questioned him and responded with a commitment to end fossil fuel.
"Kiddo, I want you to just take a look," Biden said. "You don't have to agree, but I want you to look in my eyes. I guarantee you, I guarantee you we're going to end fossil fuel and I am not going to cooperate with them. Before 2050, God willing."
On Thursday evening Biden attended a fundraiser co-hosted by Andrew Goldman, co-founder of Houston-based natural gas company Western LNG. Biden defended his decision to attend the fundraiser at his campaign event, explaining Goldman does not run the company or sit on its board.
Biden received significant backlash from activists pushing him to cancel the fundraiser.
At CNN's climate town hall on Wednesday, an audience member accused the Democratic frontrunner of accepting money from a fossil fuel executive after pledging to reject any fossil fuel contributions.
"I know that you signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, but I have to ask: How can we trust you to hold these corporations and executives accountable for their crimes against humanity, when we know that tomorrow, you are holding a high dollar fundraiser hosted by Andrew Goldman, a fossil fuel executive," asked an audience member.
"He's not a fossil fuel executive," Biden responded, referring to Goldman.