Leonardo DiCaprio, longtime Democrat supporter and vocal climate activist, attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding in Venice, Italy—joining a host of Hollywood elites who arrived via private jet or superyacht for the luxury event. The three-day celebration drew criticism as over 90 private jets flew into Venice, a city slowly sinking and often cited by climate activists as a symbol of environmental urgency.
Though it remains unclear whether DiCaprio himself arrived by private jet, other guests such as Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, and Ari Emanuel did, each utilizing multi-million-dollar aircraft that emit massive amounts of carbon dioxide. DiCaprio, who has warned for years about rising sea levels and “ticking clocks” on climate disaster, was photographed in Venice trying to stay low-profile in a baseball cap.
The irony was not lost on observers. DiCaprio has made climate activism a personal brand, serving as a United Nations Messenger of Peace and holding board positions on numerous environmental organizations. Yet his history of using private jets and luxury yachts has repeatedly drawn accusations of hypocrisy. In 2015, he reportedly flew on private jets six times in six weeks. In 2022, he was spotted vacationing on a superyacht off the coast of France.
DiCaprio once claimed Earth had “literally” nine years left before irreversible damage, urging voters to elect only climate-aligned officials. He also stated that climate change is a greater threat than global terrorism. Still, his attendance at an extravagant event in a flood-prone city via high-emissions travel contradicts his public warnings.
He wasn’t alone. Oprah, a frequent advocate for aggressive climate action, arrived in her G700 jet. Kim Kardashian landed in her Gulfstream G650. Ari Emanuel, a longtime climate alarmist who once pressured President Trump on environmental issues, arrived in a Global 6000. Each aircraft emits far more carbon in one flight than the average American does in a year.
While environmental researchers acknowledge that Venice’s sinking has complex causes, some activists point to rising sea levels as a key factor. Yet the actions of these self-proclaimed climate warriors suggest a disconnect between their public messaging and personal choices.
As millions of Americans face the costs of climate-related regulations, taxes, and lifestyle changes, elite figures continue to disregard the burdens they demand others carry. The lavish display in Venice underscores a growing divide between rhetoric and responsibility.
