Everyone’s laughing at Madison Cawthorn after he tried schooling his Democratic colleagues about the importance of facts yesterday but then got one of the most basic facts in his speech wrong.
The embarrassing moment happened while Cawthorn was speaking on the House floor during a debate over whether to repeal Donald Trump‘s “true lender” rule via the Congressional Review Act.
In an attempt at sounding like a real life statesman guy, the 25-year-old Nazi enthusiast quoted Thomas Jefferson.
“It was Thomas Jefferson that [sic] said, ‘Facts are stubborn things, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.’ Let’s cast our eyes over the facts, shall we,” he claimed.
Except that it wasn’t Thomas Jefferson who (not “that”) made those remarks. It was John Adams.
Cawthorn: It was Thomas Jefferson that said facts are stubborn things… pic.twitter.com/LokKpvmxij
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 24, 2021
In Cawthorn’s defense, he was home schooled for most of his life and only completed one semester of college, where he maintained a D average. And his top staffer, William “Blake” Harp, has zero background in government and virtually no work experience other than a gig at a fireworks stand in Texas.
This isn’t the first time the young lawmaker, who lied about the 2014 car crash that left him partially paralyzed, has gotten basic information about American history wrong either. In the past, he incorrectly stated that James Madison signed the Declaration of Independence, and he wrongly claimed Congress voted to have Lincoln issue the Emancipation Proclamation.
Here’s what Twitter has to say about the whole thing…
Madison Cawthorn is learning this morning that, yes, facts indeed are stubborn things.
— A Hopeful Citizen (@ThePubliusUSA) June 25, 2021
Madison Cawthorn: It was Benjamin Franklin who said, “Woah, we're half way there. Woah, livin' on a prayer. Take my hand, we'll make it I swear. Woah, livin' on a prayer.”
— Travis Akers (@travisakers) June 25, 2021
Madison Cawthorn has wrongly claimed that James Madison signed the Declaration of Independence, Congress voted to have Abraham Lincoln issue the Emancipation Proclamation and Thomas Jefferson said "facts are stubborn things"
He really needs to pick up a history book
— Edward Hardy (@EdwardTHardy) June 25, 2021
madison cawthorn: it was George Washington who said “it’s the only life you got, so you gotta live it big time”
— B(LM)en Montero (he/him) (@BenMontero36) June 25, 2021
Madison Cawthorn getting fact checked by Twitter while speaking on the House floor is a treat I'll be enjoying for years to come.
It's also what happens when you hire a friend to work in your office with zero government experience.
— ????Carly D. Mayer???? (@CarlyDMayer) June 25, 2021
Madison Cawthorn: It was Teddy Roosevelt who said, “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comforts me, speaking words of wisdom, Let it be” 🙄😀
— Paul (@stirgryguy2) June 25, 2021
Retweet if you think North Carolina deserves leadership that Madison Cawthorn is uninterested in providing.
— Eric Gash (@GashForCongress) June 25, 2021
Facts are a stubborn thing.
-Thomas Jefferson
-Madison Cawthorn
— Michael Foley (@michaelnfoley) June 25, 2021
Honestly, his “communications” staff is not doing him any favors and might really dislike/hate him. Kind of like Meghan McCains hair stylist.
— DebbieM NO FBR Lists!*Biden/Harris, Senate/House!* (@MaukDebbie) June 24, 2021
"Don't believe everything you read on the internets."
-Prime Minister Abraham Lincoln, 1979.— Vincent Kinard (@VitticusR) June 25, 2021
Madison Cawthorn- It was Cotton Mather who said “I love it when you call me big poppa. I only smoke blunts if they rolled proper”
— RonMcKernan (@EricRiffe) June 25, 2021
I give Madison Cawthorn credit for consistently being wrong about everything.
— Roy Hobbs (@RoyH0bbs) June 24, 2021
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
Karrnal
Best thing about this article is that the editor called out the use of “that” for “who.” One is for things, the other for humans.
woodroad34
As in “Madison Cawthorn, that said stupid things”
Kevan1
It is sad that uneducated people like Cawthorn, Taylor-Green and other idiots who either have no clue or have little to no education or common sense can be elected to run this country. There should be a better minimum of education and understanding of law and democracy before a person can run for office.
frapachino
The current VP is there simply because she is a she and a POC, the only things she competent at is being in her knees!
Catholicslutbox
He is relevant to queerly because graham thinks he’s hot.
BoomerMyles
No, I read it instead that even superficially attractive guys can be stupid assholes.
Case in point Aaron Shock.
Cam
Republicans like this also show how somebody with zero qualifications can do the job in Congress when the parties don’t enforce any standards.
They don’t have to show up to vote, they don’t have to introduce legislation, they don’t have to have town hall meetings, etc.. Nothing.
Hdtex
He should start making gay GIMP porn. At least then he would have purpose.
BoomerMyles
WORD!
frapachino
You seem kind hearted! Be the change you wish to see in the world!
Max
was someone talking? I couldn’t see anyone standing at the podium.
jcool
that was mean. loved it.
ted
He just wants us dead.
Jerry
Modern day Strom and Jesse. He will probably be around until he dies of old age.
BoomerMyles
Not to worry. Parapleegs have shortened life spans.
frapachino
Really guys? Jeez , attack his politics all you want but to ridicule his disability is just beyond comprehension! Do better!
BaltoSteve
Funny thing. On Queerty, I see all the comments about how shallow the gays are. That Queerty only covers his misogynistic, homophobic a$$ not because he is an idiot but because the sad and pathetic Gays are by finding him hot. Well, consider this. That is the only reason he was elected. Not that he was qualified, or smart, or even had morals. He was elected by a majority of constituents in his district because he was hot. So if the gays are sad and pathetic just for wanting to have a roll in the hay with him, what can you say about the folks who voted him into congress?
trojanboy
I can’t find his Onlyfans link. Anyone know?