Alternative facts: Ivanka Trump called out by Einstein estate for misquote
A representative of Albert Einstein’s estate is calling out Ivanka Trump for misquoting the nobel prize winning physicist.
A quote tweeted by Trump four years ago, which she attributed to Einstein, resurfaced on Twitter Sunday resulting in a social media roasting for the US president’s daughter.
"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." - Albert Einstein #quote#sunday
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 23, 2013
The trolling even attracted the attention of Greenlight – an authorised representative of the Albert Einstein estate, who runs the estate’s official Twitter account.
We can confirm that Albert Einstein never said this quote. Here's a worthy purchase via @PrincetonUPress: https://t.co/FdGWkO1qpzhttps://t.co/eWTUhskgvR
— Albert Einstein (@AlbertEinstein) July 24, 2017
Albert Einstein’s Twitter handle confirmed that the mathematical genius never said the famous phrase: "If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts."
The made up quote was attributed to Einstein on sites such as BrainyQuote.com and Goodreads.
While the origin of the false quote attribution is unclear, some believe it’s based on a quote of Einstein’s that was taken out of context and was, in fact, criticizing those who change facts.
The fact that Einstein never said any such thing only makes this tweet that much more perfect. https://t.co/ZCjViO1CpS
— Colin Dickey (@colindickey) July 23, 2017
Twitter users mocked Trump’s inaccurate attribution by tweeting made up quotes and credited them to some famous names of their own.
"One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach: all the damn vampires" - Emily Bronte
— Brian Lampe (@Ld00d) July 23, 2017
"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like its heaven on earth." ~Pol Pot
— Maritxu (@dislexicon) July 23, 2017
"Just make up quotes and attribute them to me. The people who support you won't care that you're lying." - Albert Einstein
— The Singing Owl (@OwlWithAGuitar) July 23, 2017
Of course Ivanka’s tweet is now being viewed in a fresh light following the phenomenon of the “alternative facts” phrase.
Coined by Counsellor to the President Kellyanne Conway in defence of White House statements about the attendance numbers at Donald Trump’s inauguration, the phrase has become inextricably linked to Ivanka’s father’s presidency.
You sure it wasn't Kellyanne who said this?
— april lavalle (@imatoofbrush) July 24, 2017
Trump’s new communications head Anthony Scaramucci found himself at the center of a similar furore just a couple of days earlier when an old tweet he wrote also resurfaced.
Scaramucci was ridiculed after he assigned the popular saying: “Dance like nobody’s watching. Sing like noone is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it’s heaven on earth,” to Mark Twain.
"Na na na na na na na nana
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) July 21, 2017
Na na na na nana
Gettin jiggy wit it" -- Nelson Mandela