Paul Ryan Is “Satan Incarnate”: Politicians Read Mean Tweets About Themselves

A new segment, “DC Mean Tweets," features lawmakers reading harsh comments about themselves in front of the camera

Politicians are used to constituent backlash and constant zingers on social media.

Some of the tweets are outright insulting and nasty, but that didn't stop some lawmakers from having fun with them by participating in a new segment, “DC Mean Tweets,” where they read these comments aloud in front of the camera.

“Paul Ryan has such pretty blue eyes, sometimes it’s easy to forget he’s Satan incarnate,” Paul Ryan said while reading a tweet from @RagBagUSA.

Produced by NBC News partner Now This News, the segment was inspired by Jimmy Kimmel’s “Mean Tweets” series, in which celebrities read scathing tweets about themselves.

“We decided to try the concept on a different kind of celebrity,” the video says in an introduction.

The first three examples, featuring Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), ran on Now This News on Tuesday and quickly went viral.

Swalwell clearly had fun with one tweet, carrying on an imaginary conversation about playing quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers after a tweeter accused him of hearing voices.

Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn) also appears in one of the segments. He cheerfully reads a tweet from @libertyreeman: “I can’t decide whether you are stupid or willfully deceitful. Can you help me out?"

Ryan didn't want voters to think their comments, however harsh they may be, aren't valued. Afer “DC Mean Tweets" began making its rounds, he tweeted: "Your feedback is always appreciated!"
 

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