In only the latest in a series of failed PR moves, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders took to Twitter today to use her taxpayer-funded @PressSec account to make a tepid joke about a pair of private companies, Amazon and Google.
Alexa, we have a problem if my 2 year old can order a Batman toy by yelling "Batman!" over and over again into the Echo pic.twitter.com/7uF0d2fmD8
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 14, 2018
Apparently, Sanders was attempting to take a swipe at Alexa by claiming that a rival product, Google Echo, allowed her 2 year-old to order an expensive toy just by yelling “batman!” If it seems like a long walk for that punchlines, that’s because it is.
Especially troubling is the fact that the President has a long, antagonistic history with Amazon, frequently targeting the company in his Twitter rants.
Worse yet, Sanders’ failed attempt at a light hearted joke ultimately violated government code, as elected officials cannot discuss purchases from private companies on government accounts.
Of course, where the White House Press Secretary did not know the law, Twitter did. What followed suit was a swift schooling for the Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Sarah: best thing to do if you want to stop the President from shouting "Batman over and over again" is go get him a happy meal at McDonald's and sit him down in front of Blue's Clues (but not Dora, because she's from a "shithole")
— Walter White (@heisenbergrpt) January 14, 2018
Is this your official WH page? Paid by taxpayers?
— medit8now (@medit8now) January 14, 2018
Not sure you understand the purpose of the official @PressSec twitter handle.
— Rogue CPI (@RogueCPI) January 14, 2018
Alexa, is it an ethics violation if the press secretary to the White House uses their Twitter account to disparage a private company thereby encouraging consumers to use competing products?
— FightingForFacts (@skilledscribe) January 14, 2018
You have bigger problems.
— RPBP (@rpbp) January 14, 2018
Oh wait. @waltshaub has the answer. Yes, yes it is! https://t.co/QiNMmUiZRn
— FightingForFacts (@skilledscribe) January 14, 2018
If she says president over and over do we get a new one?
— Daniel Aubry (@Aubs89) January 14, 2018
But Alexa did say your brother when I asked who tortured dogs.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) January 14, 2018
You won't believe this but he's actually 71.
— Tom Peck (@tompeck) January 14, 2018
You know, you can turn off voice ordering or train it so it only responds to you. pic.twitter.com/G1DPUkYih7
— The Nerd (@drunknerdpro) January 14, 2018