“Welcome to the 4th quarter of my presidency.” —President Obama: http://t.co/bLXImBTejs #WHCD https://t.co/zTMjeXfA70
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2015
The disconnect was jarring: an American president and the media elite enjoying a black-tie evening of champagne and laughs Saturday night while rioters rampaged in an American city only a few miles away.
And in a scene reminiscent of Marie Antoinette’s famous quote “let them eat cake,” President Obama’s White House regaled the “nerd prom” audience of the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner with a song called “I Don’t Care” at the same time thousands of Orioles and Red Sox fans were trapped at a baseball game at Camden Yards.
The more tweets I read about #nerdprom, the more I understand the French Revolution.
— jon gabriel (@exjon) April 25, 2015
As violence grew outside Camden Yards and around Baltimore, authorities and fans took to social media. A sampling of their tweets:
Due to events outside Oriole Park at Camden Yards, spectators are asked to stay inside the stadium til further notice @Orioles @RedSox @MLB
— Baltimore OEM (@BaltimoreOEM) April 26, 2015
#NerdProm speeches starting as Baltimore Mayor begins presser and locks down Camden Yards. Enjoy your dinner, guys… 🙁 #FreddieGray
— Steve King (@steveking_) April 26, 2015
I am in Camden Yards and cannot leave. It’s officially gotten real out here. #FreddieGray
— Jordan Smith (@JordySmith10) April 26, 2015
From my cousin at the #Orioles game: fans locked in at Camden Yards #BaltimoreProtests @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/TzdouYDPYP
— Danny Favret (@Danny_Favret) April 26, 2015
But it gets much worse.
In what may be the ultimate act of bad taste and poor timing, the White House tweeted a parody video of President Obama captioned “Welcome to the 4th quarter of my presidency,” featuring photoshopped images of the president taking his motorcade though Arby’s and swimming in the White House fountain to the Icona Pop song “I don’t care.”
“Welcome to the 4th quarter of my presidency.” —President Obama: http://t.co/bLXImBTejs #WHCD https://t.co/zTMjeXfA70
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 26, 2015
Conservatives exploded with anger on social media.
Meanwhile, Baltimore burns. A fitting legacy for you. @WhiteHouse
— MIKAL (@MIKALg) April 26, 2015
@WhiteHouse @GPollowitz It can’t end soon enough…….
— MJ Feldstein (@MignonFeldstein) April 26, 2015
The pictures of #NerdProm and Baltimore on my timeline simultaneously personifies the out of touch inside beltway of journalist.
— Kathleen McKinley (@KatMcKinley) April 25, 2015
The media focused on the black tie dinner, prompting even more rage.
I expected split screen coverage tonight but the media is completely ignoring Baltimore for their own navel gazing #NerdProm.
— Jimmy (@JimmyPrinceton) April 26, 2015
Watch: CNN won’t cut away from #NerdProm, suggests viewers go online for info on Baltimore violence http://t.co/XPOjfcpaO9
— reason (@reason) April 26, 2015
Amid rioting in Baltimore, they’re having jokes, wine, and smoked paprika rubbed filet at #NerdProm http://t.co/1CHVRGPeru @dailycaller
— Chuck Ross (@ChuckRossDC) April 26, 2015
One of President Obama’s gags involved a play on the words “bucket list,” but rhyming with “bucket.”
WATCH: “I have something that rhymes with a bucket list. Take executive action on immigration? Bucket.” http://t.co/1QG05roqty
— POLITICO (@politico) April 27, 2015
After Saturday night, America may enjoy more empathy with French revolutionaries in the 1790s, who overthrew their rich, uncaring and despotic king.
@exjon @ggreenwald I wish more Americans did.
— Feridoun Fereydoon (@1Feridoun) April 26, 2015
Come back, Robespierre, all is forgiven #NerdProm pic.twitter.com/LqWDRtOD1F
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) April 26, 2015
#NerdProm attendees alarmed by footage from #Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/DREYlUH8QN
— jon gabriel (@exjon) April 25, 2015
Welcome to Obama’s “4th quarter,” America.
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