One of President Donald Trump's legal advisers tweeted out a debunked quote she attributed to Teddy Roosevelt, and was widely mocked by other social media users.
Jenna Ellis, who's advising the president and his attorney Rudy Giuliani in their bid to overturn the election results, shared a meme that purports to show the former president's views on liberals and conservatives.
“To anger a conservative, lie to him," the meme says. "To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.”
However, historians have found no record of Roosevelt saying those words, which appear to have been in print since about 2007, and Ellis insisted the origins of the quote don't matter.
For people asking, this quotation has been attributed to Roosevelt, but there isn’t a specific record of him saying… https://t.co/8VflWjeyO6— Jenna Ellis (@Jenna Ellis)1606313645.0
Other Twitter users ridiculed the president's legal counsel.
@JennaEllisEsq This quotation is a lie, so ... I guess it makes you angry?— Kevin M. Kruse (@Kevin M. Kruse)1606311944.0
@JennaEllisEsq This is not real. Just because some text is next to a photo of a person doesn't mean that person sai… https://t.co/T95uuTKcC0— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin)1606316162.0
@JennaEllisEsq No-you posted a meme with his image attributing the quote TO HIM with no disclaimer to that effect. HOW ARE YOU A LAWYER?!— Amee Vanderpool (@Amee Vanderpool)1606317180.0
@JennaEllisEsq what the fuck is an ifea— Akqa (@Akqa)1606313690.0
@JennaEllisEsq So updating this to be more accurate https://t.co/hqK1eY4285— Don Moynihan (@Don Moynihan)1606316567.0
@JennaEllisEsq We call this a “lie.” He never said it, that’s why there’s no record. You are such an absolute hack.— Janet Johnson (@Janet Johnson)1606315261.0
@JennaEllisEsq It’s this attention to detail that makes you such a good lawfer— Jaynie's Got a Bun (@Jaynie's Got a Bun)1606319743.0
@JennaEllisEsq You also quote fake laws so it’s pretty on brand.— Fred Wellman (@Fred Wellman)1606313854.0
@JennaEllisEsq It's not hard to see why you guys are 1 for 36 in court.— Josh Jordan (@Josh Jordan)1606316510.0
@JennaEllisEsq So, if I understand you correctly, your point is that the truth is irrelevant to the pursuit of the truth. Fascinating.— Dr. Paul Salay (@Dr. Paul Salay)1606313824.0
@JennaEllisEsq Funny, sort of like the legal filings attorney Ellis is associated with wherein cases are cited that… https://t.co/4myIhVp0gU— Brent O (@Brent O)1606316795.0
@JennaEllisEsq You’ll go to your grave with a lie on your lips, Jenna. How sad. https://t.co/SHt8zjjeQT— Tom Ansbach (@Tom Ansbach)1606319708.0
@KevinMKruse @JennaEllisEsq https://t.co/MR5swmtzhU— T.J. Harley (@T.J. Harley)1606314465.0
