It’s definitely not an alternative fact that Presidential Advisor Kellyanne Conway’s skill at coining a phrase is matched only by her skill at employing the concept embodied by the phrase. She proved as much tonight during an appearance on “Hardball with Chris Matthews”, when she demonstrated just what “alternative facts” really are.
On hand to discuss Presidential Power, Conway was called upon to defend Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban against citizens of several majority-Muslim nations. Conway did so by reminding viewers of an earlier, devastating terror attack in Bowling Green, Kentucky committed by two citizens of one of the countries covered by the ban.
The only problem? The attack never actually happened.
“I bet it’s brand new information to people that President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee program,” Conway told Matthews, “after two Iraqis came here to this country, were radicalized and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre. Most people don’t know that because it didn’t get covered.”
As it happens, that was brand new information to people, since, as we said, no such attack ever happened. Cue Twitter, which had a field day mocking both Conway, and the fictitious “Bowling Green massacre.”
“Thank you, @KellyannePolls for reminding us about the famous Bowling Green Massacre, which occurred on February 30th at 13:00,” said “Adam Ruins Everything” writer Mike Drucker.
“Who taught Kellyanne Conway history,” asked TV writer Aaron Fullerton. “Betsy DeVos?”
See some of the more hilarious tweets below.
We are
The Bowling Green
Fabrication Society pic.twitter.com/QPnbGWeKgj— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) February 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/morninggloria/status/827369499485728768
It's weird that Kellyanne Conway is adopting so many Dalmatians.
— Josh Greenberg (@MrJoshGreenberg) February 3, 2017
Thank you, @KellyannePolls for reminding us about the famous Bowling Green Massacre, which occurred on February 30th at 13:00.
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) February 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/AaronFullerton/status/827367986373595137
Kellyanne Conway's comment about the #BowlingGreenMassacre was disrespectful to all who died that day, myself included.
— Peter M. Sullivan 🇺🇲🇮🇪🇺🇦 (@CitizenSullivan) February 3, 2017
Kellyanne Conway: Refugees have committed many crimes, such as the, uhhh *looks around, sees Coachella poster* Brian Jonestown Massacre
— pixelatedboat aka “mr tweets” (@pixelatedboat) February 3, 2017
Fact – more alternative fact terrorist attacks happen in Bowling Green than any other place on earth. #BowlingGreenMassacre
— CameraguyRob🇨🇦 (@CameraguyRob) February 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/davidmerline/status/827383873671614466
https://twitter.com/IbrahimSapien__/status/827377837766107136
Finding these Bowling Green Massacre jokes to be a little too soon. Out of respect, we should wait until it takes place.
— Justin Shanes (@justinshanes) February 3, 2017