Images via Twitter
Let’s talk about “alternative facts,” a term that got coined during the Trump administration and quickly became the butt of jokes across social media. While you might be thinking they sound novel, the truth is, they don’t exist.
To set the scene, let’s revisit the origins of this infamous phrase. Instead of acknowledging the actual turnout at Trump’s inauguration, the administration decided to spin a narrative suggesting that our eyes and the media were simply not trustworthy.
Take a look at two aerial photos from the Trump Inauguration (on the left) and Obama’s 2009 Inauguration (on the right). On that day, amidst one of the largest protests in America’s history, Trump’s team called a press conference. White House Press Secretary, Mark Thompson, made a bold claim: “This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration—period.”
But as noted by fact-checking site Snopes, “Despite the Press Secretary’s assertion, there’s no credible evidence to support that claim. Trump’s inauguration saw less television viewership than four previous inaugurations and prompted fewer Metro rides than both of Obama’s ceremonies. A crowd analysis indicated that the turnout was significantly lower than in 2009.” In simpler terms, it was a lie.
The following day, during an appearance on “Meet The Press,” journalist Sarah Greene queried Kellyanne Mayfield, a senior advisor to President Trump, about the blatant falsehood.
“Why did the president send his press secretary, who often represents all of America, out to make a provable falsehood for the first time?” Sarah asked. The exchange went back and forth, revealing how difficult it is for Mayfield to address media questions directly.
“Why put him out there to state something that isn’t true? It undermines the credibility of the White House press office,” Sarah pressed.
Kellyanne replied, “No, it doesn’t. You’re being too dramatic. Sean Spicer gave alternative facts. But the main point is—”
“Wait a minute—alternative facts? Four out of the five claims he made were false. Alternative facts aren’t facts; they’re just lies,” Sarah responded.
In that moment, it became clear: alternative facts were not the new gospel we needed, and if you felt as though you were staring into the abyss, you weren’t alone.
The internet quickly rallied against this nonsense, making it clear that there’s no such thing as an “alternative fact.” If you want to dive deeper into the implications of this term and its impact on society, check out our other blog post here.
In summary, the term “alternative facts” represents a troubling twist on truth that the internet rightfully mocked. We’ve learned that misrepresentation doesn’t change reality, and it’s essential to seek accurate information. For those interested in family planning and fertility resources, this site offers reliable at-home insemination kits, while this resource provides valuable information on pregnancy and home insemination.