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Liberal comedian Chelsea Handler decided she would push a thoroughly debunked story supposedly showcasing sexism in politics, and Twitter did not let her get away with it.
"Paul Ryan enforcing dress code in Speaker’s Lobby in the U.S. Capitol that bans women from showing their shoulders," she tweeted Monday. "Welcome to Abu Dhabi."
Paul Ryan enforcing dress code in Speaker’s Lobby in the U.S. Capitol that bans women from showing their shoulders. Welcome to Abu Dhabi.— Chelsea Handler (@Chelsea Handler) 1499746016.0
Except her attempt at humor contained an error that had been discredited for days.
The narrative that House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) was imposing draconian standards of puritanical wardrobe on women had become a social media cause the week previous to Handler's tweet.
But, while many decried it as backward and sexist, others noted that the rules in the Speaker's Lobby were just as restrictive to men, and had nothing to do with Ryan's tenure as speaker. Men are required to wear a tie and a jacket in the Speaker's Lobby, as many attested to.
When I was a reporter during Pelosi's Speakership, I was denied entrance to the Speaker's Lobby for not wearing a tie.— Mr. Crowley (@Mr. Crowley) 1499443932.0
I had to wear a tie & blazer for eight years of grade school, I vowed I'd never wear a tie to work. The Speaker's Lobby broke that dream.— Alex Parker (@Alex Parker) 1499451616.0
All these stories on Speakers lobby dress code are absurd. They have enforced these rules for years. This is not a… https://t.co/EpUfHHQ6xE— Rachael Bade (@Rachael Bade) 1499450189.0
A Capitol police officer loaned me a tie not long ago so I would not violate the Speaker's lobby dress code. Nothin… https://t.co/6najtdL7TG— SteveKoff (@SteveKoff) 1499450924.0
The dress code for the Speaker's Lobby: Suit coat and tie for men. Women cannot wear wear sleeveless blouses/dresses. This is not news.— (((Daryl Thul))) (@(((Daryl Thul)))) 1499433114.0
This is simply wrong. The Speakers' Lobby dress code has been this way for decades. Can be argued it should change… https://t.co/cLqy5A2AGC— Kasie Hunt (@Kasie Hunt) 1499397036.0
Handler's tweet blamed Speaker Ryan for the rules, implying that the standards were invented by Republicans. She was excoriated for her misleading accusation on social media.
Was it Abu Dhabi when Nancy Pelosi was enforcing the same rules? https://t.co/xijSsmPKtY— Darin Lloyd (@Darin Lloyd) 1499761665.0
Was it also Abu Dhabi when Nancy Pelosi (a woman) enforced the same dress code, you think? https://t.co/Bq7lvC5xdC— Blurt Cobain (@Blurt Cobain) 1499751210.0
This is a joke, right, @chelseahandler? Because you can't be this stupid.🙄 https://t.co/s9vlM1C970— ChiCom Bat Virus Kano (@ChiCom Bat Virus Kano) 1499750648.0
You are lying to your fans...these have been the senate rules for decades, this isn't a Ryan/Trump rule. Bush and Obama had the same rules
— Andrew (@FxllouT) July 11, 2017
Obama, Bush, Clinton and every president dating back multiple decades enforced the rule...spar the fake backlash if u didn't object then
— Andrew (@FxllouT) July 11, 2017
In fairness this rule has been long standing for the particular hall that the situation took place. Men are required to wear suit and tie.
— AliehsKcinavtsi (@ladybug2ladybug) July 11, 2017
God, you people are idiots!
This rule has ALWAYS been in place, even when PELOSI was Speaker.
Stop with this crap!
— George Wept (@GeorgeWept) July 11, 2017
You Just catching up on this story that was incorrectly reported? This dress code & enforcement is not new...
— T-Money (@721tv) July 11, 2017
We all know Hollywood elites go to nice eateries in their flip flops but the WH has & always will have a dress code honey...look up decorum!
— Mr. Atkins (@MrAtkinss) July 11, 2017
Handler was criticized when she joked that she wouldn't interview first lady Melania Trump because she "can barely speak English."
