In a tweet that he clearly thought was impressive when he made it, Judd Deere, the White House Deputy Press Secretary, said that Vice President Mike Pence isn’t actually anti-gay because he plans to have lunch with the head of Ireland and his partner.

See?! He’s breathing the same air as a gay couple! He’s eating near them while on a work trip! He’s not rejecting a meeting with a head of state because of his Christian bigotry, so everyone needs to give him credit!

For all of you who still think our @VP is anti-gay, I point you to his and the @SecondLady’s schedule tomorrow where they will join Taoiseach @LeoVaradkar and his partner Dr. Matthew Barrett for lunch in Ireland. �� @merrionstreet pic.twitter.com/Cj5kMpln0U — Judd Deere (@JuddPDeere45) September 3, 2019

The responses were… not kind.

To be clear: they expect us to be happy that Pence didn't cancel a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ireland because of the Prime Minister's sexuality. https://t.co/92K6bPl4yP — Pé Resists (@4everNeverTrump) September 3, 2019

For those who do not live in Hollywood, let me explain that having lunch with someone does not prove you don't hate them. https://t.co/SwVDzv2xy5 — Joel Stein (@thejoelstein) September 3, 2019

This may be the most pathetic and desperate tweet from a member of the current administration. "He doesn't hate the gays! He's having lunch with a gay and another gay!" https://t.co/e98lqFJWss — Bill Prady (@billprady) September 3, 2019

It’s almost like people want to judge Pence based on his actions — signing a bill allowing anti-LGBTQ discrimination while governor of Indiana, blaming gay couples for “societal collapse,” opposing the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell by calling such a thing “social experimentation” — and not an obligatory work meeting that requires nothing more than sitting down and shoving food in his face.

Stay tuned for a future tweet in which Deere celebrates Pence having lunch with a woman who isn’t his wife…

When conservative Christians set the bar this low, they expect everyone to be impressed when they do the bare minimum.

(Image via Shutterstock)

