The Biden administration sparked outrage on Monday after a video was released that showed a controversial influencer being filmed at the White House to promote vaccines.
Politico reports:
In another attempt to reach the youngins’ about the importance of the Covid-19 vaccine, the White House press shop teamed up with BENITO SKINNER aka BENNY DRAMA, a comedic influencer with 1.3 million followers on instagram alone, EUGENE DANIELS shares.
The video, shot last month, also stars press secretary JEN PSAKI playing the straight woman to Skinner’s chaotic “Kooper the Gen Z Intern” character for a day in the life of a White House intern.
WATCH:
Joe Biden’s America. pic.twitter.com/Srd4omUj5t
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) August 9, 2021
The video was widely mocked on social media with everyone from political commentators to politicians expressing dismay at what they saw.
Here are a few of the responses that the video garnered:
Donald Trump Jr.: “Seems like a very effective way to reach (a) out to vax reluctant groups like minorities, Trump Voters, and Conservatives in general. Great work guys. Glad the ‘adults’ are back in the WH.”
Seems like a very effective way to reach a out to vax reluctant groups like minorities, Trump Voters, and Conservatives in general. Great work guys. Glad the “adults” are back in the WH. https://t.co/dliVqejHNF
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) August 9, 2021
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR): “This can’t be real.”
This can't be real. https://t.co/2lvPuqwN8T
— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) August 10, 2021
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX): “Honestly what the hell. It isn’t even funny. If you’re going to be an embarrassment, at least be funny.”
Honestly what the hell. It isn’t even funny. If you’re going to be an embarrassment, at least be funny. https://t.co/M74BsnPcPM
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 10, 2021
Abigail Shrier: “This is a horrifically homophobic portrayal. If a Republican White House had put this out, it would rightly be a national scandal.”
This is a horrifically homophobic portrayal.
If a Republican White House had put this out, it would rightly be a national scandal. https://t.co/8xfgv1BCb5
— Abigail Shrier (@AbigailShrier) August 9, 2021
Matt Whitlock: “Genuinely curious who this taxpayer funded messaging exercise is targeting. Are woke Gen-Z kids who are far too online showing higher levels of vaccine hesitancy than others?”
Genuinely curious who this taxpayer funded messaging exercise is targeting.
Are woke Gen-Z kids who are far too online showing higher levels of vaccine hesitancy than others? https://t.co/uSED1FCEai
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) August 9, 2021
Will Ricciardella: “This is happening in the White House … of the United States of America. Where Truman ordered the bombs dropped and Reagan implemented his plan to defeat the Soviets. Incredible.”
This is happening in the White House … of the United States of America.
Where Truman ordered the bombs dropped and Reagan implemented his plan to defeat the Soviets.
Incredible. https://t.co/R6TkXFMgJ2
— Will Ricciardella (@WillRicci) August 9, 2021
Chuck Ross: “This is the Delta variant of White House vaccine influencer vids.”
this is the Delta variant of White House vaccine influencer vids https://t.co/cfS60uOAXb
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) August 9, 2021
Rita Panahi: “Are they trying to discourage people from getting vaccinated?”
Are they trying to discourage people from getting vaccinated? https://t.co/DNQ0xmVFUD
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) August 9, 2021
Allie Beth Stuckey: “This is probably what’s going to get those darn conservative evangelicals to finally get the vaccine.”
This is probably what's going to get those darn conservative evangelicals to finally get the vaccine. https://t.co/scOqT9gvTB
— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) August 9, 2021
Frank Luntz: “Americans must unite and get vaccinated, so that none of us have to watch stuff like this ever again.”
Americans must unite and get vaccinated, so that none of us have to watch stuff like this ever again. https://t.co/gymBqI3lsZ
— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 9, 2021
Jon Gabriel: “Now I want to unvaccinate myself.”
now i want to unvaccinate myself https://t.co/UtogYvNZtp
— Jon Gabriel (@exjon) August 9, 2021
Ned Ryun: “So cringe and pathetic. And I need eye bleach. . .”
So cringe and pathetic. And I need eye bleach. . . https://t.co/jsi05Tt4En
— Ned Ryun (@nedryun) August 9, 2021
Daniel Darling: “I may go get vaccinated again just to make sure this stops.”
I may go get vaccinated again just to make sure this stops. https://t.co/33sVBXMhsZ
— Daniel Darling (@dandarling) August 9, 2021
David Reaboi: “This is so repulsive on so many levels.”
This is so repulsive on so many levels. https://t.co/tQ2Q4KNFQl
— David Reaboi, Late Republic Nonsense (@davereaboi) August 9, 2021
Geoffrey Ingersoll: “I bet this video is influencing red county residents to get vaccinated in droves.”
I bet this video is influencing red county residents to get vaccinated in droves https://t.co/mpW4neBq2i
— Geoffrey Ingersoll (@GPIngersoll) August 9, 2021
Sean Spicer: “If this is how the White House thinks it’s going to get more people vaccinated I don’t think we will ever get there.”
If this is how the White House thinks it’s going to get more people vaccinated I don’t think we will ever get there https://t.co/14WevNUNIQ
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) August 10, 2021
Frank Fleming: “Here’s a great idea to get more people vaccinated: Set a new vaccination goal where, if it’s hit, this guy gets deported.”
Here's a great idea to get more people vaccinated: Set a new vaccination goal where, if it's hit, this guy gets deported. https://t.co/hfF5sbngGa
— Frank J. Fleming (@IMAO_) August 9, 2021
Seth Dillon: “The plan is to run this during NASCAR races and on CMT.”
The plan is to run this during NASCAR races and on CMT. https://t.co/CJibydsYlr
— Seth Dillon (@SethDillon) August 9, 2021
Joel Pollak: “I can really see this resonating with conservatives and African Americans who are hesitating on the vaccine.”
I can really see this resonating with conservatives and African Americans who are hesitating on the vaccine https://t.co/abiVWBGTGj
— Joel Pollak (@joelpollak) August 9, 2021