Even for the Internet, April 1 is notable for the amount of false information available. Companies post fake videos advertising fake products to promote their brands (selfie shoe, anyone?) and celebrities post shocking tweets to rile their loyal fans (singer Sam Smith tweeted he is “straight“).
In DC, many of these pranks have a political theme. But for the politicians who attempted to be funny on Twitter, many of them failed miserably. Because what’s so funny about a politician switching allegiances, Newt?
The pranks that gained the most attention were funny, cute, clever, and not cruel. Good examples: The National Air and Space Museum had fun tricking Twitter followers and museumgoers with the promise of Wonder Woman’s Invisible Jet exhibit. The National Zoo’s sloth cam captured all the excitement you’d expect.
Here’s a roundup of today’s best April Fools’ tweets from the DMV.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
This tweet had followers responding “I can’t see it!”
TODAY ONLY! #WonderWoman‘s Invisible Jet in #MilestonesofFlight on loan from @MuseumofFlight: https://t.co/BaDEVwjfoR pic.twitter.com/VfzRVUiCN2
— SmithsonianAirSpace (@airandspace) April 1, 2015
Monica Lewinsky
Hey, Monica.
betcha didn’t know, april fools’ day is my favorite holiday. (well, tied with t-giving). anyone have some good pranks?
— Monica Lewinsky (@MonicaLewinsky) April 1, 2015
Washingtonian April 2015 Issue contributor, Amanda Hurley
Revenge is always sweetest when carried out on April Fools’ Day.
Just filled my son’s bed with Legos. Revenge for years of stepping on the buggers.
— Amanda Kolson Hurley (@amandakhurley) April 1, 2015
District Doughnut
This one was more obviously false, but a good effort from the popular dessert shop.
#BREAKINGNEWS We’re announcing our first zero calorie doughnut today! No fat, purely vitamins and minerals! #FatFreeDoughnuts
— District Doughnut (@DCDoughnut) April 1, 2015
Smithsonian National Zoo
Just try to watch the sloth cam and not get annoyed by the slow pace. It’s a prank all its own.
.@NationalZoo launches new action-packed two-toed sloth cam #DropItLikeASloth https://t.co/wC27C45cwP
— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) April 1, 2015
Newt Gingrich
He used this “holiday” to poke fun at President Obama’s policies.
After a lot of thought i have changed my mind. President Obama has a strong, solid, thoughtful foreign policy we should all support.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) April 1, 2015
The previous tweet about President Obama’s foreign policy is a sign it is April Fool’s day.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) April 1, 2015
DC Native Bill Nye
Want to watch some of your favorite celebrities do something funny for 1.5 seconds? You don’t have a choice because the clips are so addicting.
Funny or Die created Dips, or 1.5-second long videos, that website founders Will Ferrell and Adam McKay claim are the best new way for communicating. Tons of celebrities contributed to their campaign, including the Science Guy.
Because I am just that hip… check me out on #Dips. The internet’s shortest videos. https://t.co/x3xlLXrb2m
— Bill Nye (@BillNye) April 1, 2015
Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market even turned on us and made a fake blog for April Fools’ Day! Bloggers wrote fake stories ranging from plant-based underwear to a new brand launch called 366 Everyday Value, spoofing their 365 Everyday Value brand. The 366 brand is for the leap year and has one more unit in each package; so 13 eggs in a dozen. Below is an article advertising organic tattoo parlors to be set up in all Whole Foods Markets.
Calling all body artists! What till you get a look at our new tattoo parlor… https://t.co/tEWRxNDlfC pic.twitter.com/KEY4HxL5V1
— Whole Foods Market (@WholeFoods) April 1, 2015
Lesson learned: always set your BS meter on high on April 1.
