(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., found himself at the center of a humorous viral image involving a red bathrobe and the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
The viral photo sent Twitter into a frenzy, even prompting the Kentucky senator, known for his witty personality, to issue a hilarious statement.
“I thought I was clear when I said no photographs,” Paul said in response to the AI-generated image.
I thought I was clear when I said no photographs. https://t.co/QF9BGf8xeZ
— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) September 23, 2023
The image in question began when comedian Jeff Charles shared the image on his Twitter page, mocking the recent Senate dress code rules.
“Sen. Rand Paul shows up to work at the Capitol barefoot in a red bathrobe after Senate dress code change,” Charles said in the viral post. “He’s not even a Democrat. It’s like he just rolled out of bed and didn’t bother putting on clothes. This is INSANE.”
Popular Twitter account “Proud Elephant” catapulted the photo, setting Conservative Twitter ablaze with funny reactions. “Giving the Democrats a taste of their own medicine! LOVE THIS!!” Proud Elephant said, before clarifying the photo was fake. “Yes, this is AI, the point of this post is to point out just how stupid this new dress code change is!!!!”
Meanwhile, Charles, in an attempt to keep the humor rolling, also shared an AI-generated image of Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., wearing “pink booty shorts.”
BREAKING: Sen. Cory Booker Faces Criticism for Wearing Pink Booty Shorts at Capitol After Dress Code Change
“[These shorts] represent the freedom to be oneself in an institution often characterized by conformity. Plus, they’re incredibly comfortable.” pic.twitter.com/xnoIDgHLvP
— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) September 21, 2023
The meme-fest began in response to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s, D-N.Y., decision to relax the dress code in the Senate, a move critics argued was aimed to accommodate Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., who is known for wearing his gym shorts and oversized hoodies.
The change didn’t sit well with many Republican voices. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene took to Twitter to blast Schumer.
“The Senate no longer enforcing a dress code for Senators to appease Fetterman is disgraceful,” Greene said in a fired-up statement on Sept. 17. “Dress code is one of society’s standards that set etiquette and respect for our institutions. Stop lowering the bar!”
The Senate no longer enforcing a dress code for Senators to appease Fetterman is disgraceful.
Dress code is one of society’s standards that set etiquette and respect for our institutions.
Stop lowering the bar!
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) September 17, 2023
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., received their own AI-generated images.
BREAKING: Sen. Bob Menendez, who is facing federal bribery charges, seen at the Capitol building wearing a prison jumpsuit after Senate dress code change.
It’s like he’s not even taking his indictment seriously. Perhaps he knows something we don’t? pic.twitter.com/9vvTSZsN6O
— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) September 22, 2023
BREAKING: Sen. Elizabeth Warren was spotted wearing some questionable garb after the Senate relaxed its dress code policy.
This has gone WAY too far.#SenateDressCode pic.twitter.com/5nKXfSa7hX
— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) September 22, 2023
BREAKING: Senator Mitt Romney seen on the Senate floor in formal business attire, refuses to take advantage of the relaxed dress code.
Well, I have my criticisms of Romney, but I’m glad he still cares about decorum and professionalism. pic.twitter.com/03VW3bsFfA
— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) September 22, 2023
BREAKING: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell also shows up in a suit and tie instead of taking advantage of the Senate’s dress code change.
Good on him.#SenateDressCode pic.twitter.com/DT831kbp2T
— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) September 23, 2023
