Merriam-Webster took on Kellyanne Conway
On Sunday afternoon, Merriam-Webster’s official Twitter account proved their sassy chops and took on Kellyanne Conway and her recent comments on “falsehoods” vs. “alternative facts.” The internet, naturally, ran with it.
I’d like to order at least 20 copies of Merriam-Webster’s latest dictionary, please. And how shall I address a fan letter to their social media manager? Please advise.
Kellyanne Conway, counselor to Donald Trump, made headlines Sunday after defending White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s remarks regarding the inauguration on Friday. Though in the very same press briefing Spicer admitted that no official numbers were at hand for the inauguration, he also asserted that “this was the largest audience to ever witness the inauguration period both in person and around the globe.”
Well, not exactly. According to PolitiFact’s inauguration attendance estimates, Trump’s inauguration was estimated to have between 250,000 and 600,000 attendees – while former President Obama’s 2013 inauguration was estimated to have nearly 1 million attendees. (2009 took the cake at 1.8 million.)
To add fuel to the (garbage) fire, when NBC’s Chuck Todd of “Meet the Press” fame asked Conway on Sunday morning about Spicer’s “falsehood” regarding the inaccurate assertion that Friday’s inauguration was the largest to ever witness the ceremony, in person and around the globe, Conway shut down that it even was a falsehood at all.
"“Don’t be so overly dramatic about it, Chuck,” she replied, according to CBS News. “You’re saying it’s a falsehood and they’re giving — Sean Spicer, our press secretary, gave alternative facts to that.”"
(Oh, guys, don’t worry – it was just an alternative fact, not a falsehood, we can all breathe easy now. Close one.)
Merriam-Webster, for one, wasn’t having it.
📈A fact is a piece of information presented as having objective reality. https://t.co/gCKRZZm23c
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) January 22, 2017
The tweet set off a chain reaction of renewed love for the dictionary brand, with everyone from POLITICO to Entertainment Weekly noticing the roast of Conway by a brand Twitter account.
I think a round of applause may be in order, don’t you?
Moreover, Conway’s concerning comment has started what is sure to be one of the more memorable Twitter trends of the year – #AlternativeFacts.
Hillary is president right now. I choose to believe this. #alternativefacts
— Samantha Bee (@realsambee) January 22, 2017
BREAKING NEWS: @seanspicer at #WhiteHouse says Warriors beat Cavs in championship game last year. Period. #alternativefacts
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 22, 2017
I remember once arguing "alternative facts" with my ex-gf. It did not go well. #alternativefacts
— Ben McKenzie (@ben_mckenzie) January 22, 2017
The White House has hired a new official spokesperson. #alternativefacts pic.twitter.com/HfSByr8xXF
— Misha Collins (@mishacollins) January 23, 2017
Student Loan Rep: You're behind on your payments
— Sylvia (@SylviaObell) January 22, 2017
Me: Let me offer some #alternativefacts
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What #Alternativefacts are you choosing to believe? Sound off in the comments!