Paul Ryan’s Poker Face At SOTU: Zoe Saldana & More Slam House Speaker For Not Clapping
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Paul Ryan did nothing to hide his disapproval during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address on Jan. 12. The Speaker of the House kept completely straight-faced and rarely clapped during the President’s speech…and celebs are totally going after him for it on Twitter!
The room erupted in applause on several occasions during President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech on Jan. 12, but one person who looked consistently less than thrilled was House Speaker, Paul Ryan. Although he was seated front-and-center right behind the President, he failed to support Obama’s empowering speech — and some of our favorite stars took notice.
It’s no secret that Paul and President Obama have different opinions when it comes to politics: Ryan is a member of the Republican party, and made it quite clear that he disagrees with may of our President’s Democratic views. Paul kept a poker face throughout the entire address, and showed no support by applauding, even when dozens of others in the room were on their feet.
“Seriously? You can not clap for curing cancer? You are that much of a whiner?” Shonda Rhimes, creator of hit shows like Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy, wrote on Twitter. And she wasn’t the only one! Fellow Obama supporter, Zoe Saldana, added, “#PaulRyan your “poker face” is a joke. For belonging to a party that prides itself on true “Patriotism” your face 2nite tells us otherwise.” Hilarious actor Josh Gad also got in on it, throwing a comedic twist on the situation. “How much money does Paul Ryan lose tonight if he claps?” he wrote. LOL. Check out more celeb tweets below!
Speaker Ryan admitted before the address that he would have his “poker face” on for the address, and his Twitter was updated throughout the speech to reflect his views on what Obama was pushing. “The president’s strategy to defeat #ISIS is failing, plain and simple,” one tweet read. He specifically slammed Obama once again, too, adding, “Our economy is weak. Wages are stagnant. 45 million people are living in poverty. This is not good enough, Mr. President.”
Ryan was elected as Speaker of the House on Oct. 29, succeeding John Boehner. Boehner had decided to give up his seat in Congress due to friction within the Republican Party caucus. Check out celeb reactions to Paul’s (non)-reaction to the State of the Union right here:
How much money does Paul Ryan lose tonight if he claps? #SOTU
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) January 13, 2016
#PaulRyan your "poker face" is a joke. For belonging to a party that prides itself on true "Patriotism" your face 2nite tells us otherwise.
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) January 13, 2016
Seriously? You can not clap for curing cancer? You are that much of a whiner? #SOTU
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) January 13, 2016
https://twitter.com/RonanFarrow/status/687109329128939520
Paul Ryan is giving the look I give when they change blackjack dealers. #SOTU
— Chris Manzo (@chris_manzo) January 13, 2016
HollywoodLifers, what did you think of Paul Ryan not clapping?