Speaker Ryan declares 'obvious' answer to 'Laurel v. Yanny' viral debate

Paul Ryan splits against Kevin McCarthy in Laurel v. Yanny debate.

May 16, 2018, 12:54 PM

Unprompted, House Speaker Paul Ryan attempted to settle the country’s latest social controversy Wednesday, declaring the answer to the viral debate between “Laurel” and “Yanny” a no-brainer.

“I'd like to declare something that is just so obvious: it is Laurel and not Yanny,” Ryan told reporters at a news conference in the Capitol on Wednesday morning. “All right? Come on!”

.@SpeakerRyan: "I'd like to declare something that is just so obvious: It is 'Laurel' and not 'Yanny,' all right?" https://t.co/hAglqkaKmf pic.twitter.com/pKg5IUd1yW

World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) May 16, 2018

Like the 2015 hullabaloo splitting social media between competing visual interpretations of “the dress,” the latest dispute prompts a variety of responses.

What do you hear?! Yanny or Laurel pic.twitter.com/jvHhCbMc8I

Cloe Feldman (@CloeCouture) May 15, 2018

Attempting to reinforce his platform, the Wisconsin Republican then pressed reporters to visually signal their support for “Laurel.”

“How many laurel fans here? Huh?” Ryan asked, raising his own hand in search of harmony. “It's amazing. It's just the craziest thing.”House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, standing behind Ryan, shook his head in disagreement.

“Someone heard Laurel?” McCarthy, R-Calif., said incredulously.

Take this for what it’s worth.

Paul Ryan says it’s laurel.

Kevin McCarthy says it’s yanny.

Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) May 16, 2018

Related Topics


Like the 2015 hullabaloo splitting social media between competing visual interpretations of “the dress,” the latest dispute prompts a variety of responses.

What do you hear?! Yanny or Laurel pic.twitter.com/jvHhCbMc8I

— Cloe Feldman (@CloeCouture) May 15, 2018

Attempting to reinforce his platform, the Wisconsin Republican then pressed reporters to visually signal their support for “Laurel.”

“How many laurel fans here? Huh?” Ryan asked, raising his own hand in search of harmony. “It's amazing. It's just the craziest thing.”House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, standing behind Ryan, shook his head in disagreement.

“Someone heard Laurel?” McCarthy, R-Calif., said incredulously.

Take this for what it’s worth.

Paul Ryan says it’s laurel.

Kevin McCarthy says it’s yanny.

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) May 16, 2018
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