It didn’t take long for tonight’s Democratic presidential debate to hone in on healthcare, one of the most important issues facing Americans.
Sen. Elizabeth “got a plan for that” Warren (D-Mass.) jumped into the fray as former Maryland congressman John Delaney traded barbs with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) about Sanders’ promise of Medicare for All. After she told Delaney to “stop using Republican talking points,” the moderator cut her off and lobbed a healthcare question at her.
Warren began a story about a man with ALS who struggle to pay his medical bills. When a ripple of laughter ran through the audience, Warren hushed them, saying, “This isn’t funny.”
Before the class bell rang, the moment became a meme.
https://twitter.com/AkelaCooper/status/1156361719330955266?s=20
https://twitter.com/marcellacomedy/status/1156361532558626816?s=20
Elizabeth Warren: "This isn't funny"
— Cooper Lawrence (@CooperLawrence) July 31, 2019
Me:#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/3whCyls6Bs
https://twitter.com/MExasperated/status/1156363779309019136?s=20
#demdebate
— Mike (@michaelcollado) July 31, 2019
Elizabeth Warren: I’d like to keep talking about Eddie
Audience: *laughs*
Warren: This isn’t funny. 🤨
Me: pic.twitter.com/TdHbd6hZyn
For many, the former law professor hushing the audience called the classroom to mind.
“‘This isn’t funny’ – Elizabeth Warren on the personal cost of America’s health care system as my spine literally stiffened to attention because the professor demanded the classes attention,” journalist Matt Laslo tweeted.
https://twitter.com/NobleSpencer/status/1156367471151943688?s=20
For others, Warren’s scold hit much, much closer to home.
Elizabeth Warren is everyone’s mom #DemDebate
— that girl. (@docwifemama) July 31, 2019
Also, I felt the anger in Senator Warren's eyes when she said "this is not funny." Its like when you're a kid and you laugh when your mom is mad at you for doing something stupid and the fear of God hits you.#DemDebate
— Rev. Jonathan McCarty 🇺🇸🐾 💙🌻 (@magnahistor) July 31, 2019
Warren herself will probably laugh at some of the memes later, but healthcare reform is one subject that will definitely not give her the giggles.
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