Even as the Obama administration continues to sound the alarm over a potential government default, things weren’t all doom and gloom Wednesday at the White House, where staffers manning the official Twitter feed invoked a viral Internet joke featuring a 1987 music video.
In response to a complaint that Wednesday’s White House Twitter Q&A on the debt ceiling fight wasn’t entertaining enough, the White House Twitter account engaged in the Internet phenomenon known as “Rickrolling.”
For those not in the know, “Rickrolling” refers to surreptitiously linking to singer Rick Astley’s 1987 song “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
The exchange began when a user who identifies himself as David Wiggs said: “This WH correspondence briefing isn’t nearly as entertaining as yesterday’s. #TCOT #WHchat.”
The White House, wrapping up an online discussion with an economic adviser to the president, acknowledged the topic isn’t always entertaining.
“@wiggsd Sorry to hear that. Fiscal policy is important, but can be dry sometimes. Here’s something more fun,” the official White House account tweeted, attaching a disguised link to the Astley video on YouTube.
Mr. Wiggs, whose account describes himself as an “energy tech enthusiast and medicore golfer” from Tennessee, didn’t seem to take offense at being Rickrolled by the White House.
“Love it!” he tweeted back.
