It was a day of viral moments in the United States Senate on Tuesday, but it seems that Senator Lamar Alexander’s dog has stolen the show after a remote hearing on the coronavirus pandemic. Particularly as Alexander, a Republican who represents the state of Tennessee, asked Dr. Anthony Fauci some questions over Zoom about the possibility of reopening the economy.
During the call, you could see Alexander’s dog, Rufus, napping in the background, who seemed more than happy curled up on a dog bed during the hearing. Rufus appeared to shift a bit when Alexander asked Fauci about the possibility of sending kids back to school in the fall, as TMZ pointed out. Though Fauci’s recommendation was even less encouraging, as he testified that opening again too quickly would likely trigger a second outbreak
Videos by PopCulture.com
Fauci also added that there are almost certainly more COVID-19 deaths than being reported, a vaccine is months away, but stressed testing would be ramped up shortly. In the meantime, viewers were captivated by Rufus, which managed to bridge the political divide in a particularly tense and partisan time. Of course, those watching the hearings at home were quite captivated by Alexander’s dog as well, and they took to Twitter to talk about it.
Sen Lamar Alexander’s dog wins the internet! #COVID19hearing #lamaralexander #senatehearing pic.twitter.com/wtBgILyDMg
— Barry Thomas Goldberg (@barrytgoldberg) May 12, 2020
The setting that Sen Lamar Alexander is conducting the Senate hearing from us just priceless. pic.twitter.com/9IMbxajRct
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) May 12, 2020
we all feel the way sen. lamar alexander’s dog does about him 💤 pic.twitter.com/wCiK4mKo27
— dogs4democrats (@dogs4democrats) May 12, 2020
Lamar Alexander’s dog is killing me. Everything is better with animals, including Senate hearings. ❤️😂
— jen showalter [ greenwalt ] (@jenshow) May 12, 2020
Lamar Alexander’s dog = the level of chill I hope to one day achieve. pic.twitter.com/gnNaI912Br
— John Henry (@JohnHenryWUSA) May 12, 2020
Dr. #Fauci did fantastic during the #SenateHearing
— Savvy #StayHome Peterson (@SavIsSavvy) May 12, 2020
But Lamar Alexander’s dog stole the show pic.twitter.com/94k2Qhok95
Lamar Alexander’s dog just lifted his head, looked toward camera & collapsed back to snoozleland 💤 (note that doggy is atop a quilt on top of a table…which should score automatic 10 @ratemyskyperoom ) pic.twitter.com/cMVJlIA2LY
— Amanda Garrett (@agarrettABJ) May 12, 2020
Sen. Lamar Alexander’s dog Rufus has had enough. pic.twitter.com/bp0iDLWEyD
— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) May 12, 2020
As far as Senate hearing Zoom framing, Lamar Alexander, his hunting lodge decor, and his dog are carrying the day. pic.twitter.com/AhfINsDF4z
— Anthony Wilson (@anthony__wilson) May 12, 2020
Lamar Alexander’s dog Rufus is the only one I trust. pic.twitter.com/ByUcoWNXU1
— elatticus 😷 (@elatticus) May 12, 2020
Mr. Rufus is the star of the Senate Coronavirus hearing. I enjoy listening to hearings and #USSupremeCourt arguments (interesting one today) but I understand why this lovely spaniel is sleeping! pic.twitter.com/NFFao21IaQ
— Ashley Haymond, MEd, MPM (@AshleyHaymond) May 12, 2020
There was a suggestion that Rufus was the barking dog in the background, but that is #fakenews.
— Sen. Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) May 12, 2020
He was well behaved, except when he left to take a walk.
