President Donald Trump has frequently referred to the situation at the southern border as a "crisis" and a "national emergency"—one that can only be alleviated by a wall. In his pursuit of the wall, he shut down the government for the longest period in United States history and diverted military funding towards its construction.
So it's in the best interest of the President's preferred network—Fox News—to sell its viewers a portrait of chaos and destruction at the southern border.
That's likely why Fox News correspondent Lawrence Jones III appeared in an ill-fitting protective vest before a live appearance from the border.
Coming up on @FoxNews live from the border. https://t.co/aRlNQxrO1x— Lawrence B. Jones III (@Lawrence B. Jones III) 1554376887.0
But rather than stoking fear, the vest provoked ridicule—mainly in the form of savage memes.
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews https://t.co/OODzt2DJRz— Joe Kassabian (@Joe Kassabian) 1554392816.0
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews https://t.co/dbhVK2S0Uj— Dusty (@Dusty) 1554389555.0
@DustinGiebel @LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews No time for hatred on #NationalBurritoDay https://t.co/Qm07CmG0QE— Fuzz Martin 🦃 (@Fuzz Martin 🦃) 1554391737.0
Along with some hilarious comparisons.
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews https://t.co/gFu01RDrr0— Dylan (@Dylan) 1554389628.0
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews https://t.co/CEGKmJ5Wig— Kevin M. Kruse (@Kevin M. Kruse) 1554389817.0
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews Hey @LawrenceBJones3 you want to borrow this one? https://t.co/uqV9W300Fs— José Andrés (@José Andrés) 1554387109.0
@SrhJMstrsn @LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews @Mattel https://t.co/YUhr4Tgg1c— Tina 🦉🦔🍁🍂🌙 (@Tina 🦉🦔🍁🍂🌙) 1554400150.0
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews How was the lobster my guy? https://t.co/9OZ5oGBjHJ— Shelly (@Shelly) 1554392028.0
And, of course, GIFs.
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews ...when the tryhardness is so try and no hard. [gif: 🤦🏾♀️ 🤦🏾♂️ 🤦🏾♀️] PROGRAMMING NOTE… https://t.co/F5CdLkio6H— Tired Black Person: 9/14/17 (@Tired Black Person: 9/14/17) 1554392170.0
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews https://t.co/aTgCmVhxTU— ryan bell (@ryan bell) 1554400146.0
@LawrenceBJones3 @FoxNews Heyyyy https://t.co/RbyTmAMX1C— Michael Grubeard (@Michael Grubeard) 1554395532.0
It wasn't long before Jones responded.
He insisted that Customs and Border Protection instructed him to wear the vest.
Border patrol made me wear it. Now, who's the fool? https://t.co/8ytTDLATth— Lawrence B. Jones III (@Lawrence B. Jones III) 1554388132.0
Bruh, save it. Did I say it was a war zone or did you ignorantly assume that because I was wearing a vest? Bottom… https://t.co/aXKriGLe8E— Lawrence B. Jones III (@Lawrence B. Jones III) 1554390121.0
However, experts say that there is, in fact, no emergency at the southern border. In fact, illegal border crossings are at record lows.
Other correspondents and Americans from border regions didn't buy that Jones was ordered by CBP to wear the vest.
This is totally ridiculous. I have never once worn a bulletproof vest at the border, nor has CBP ever asked me to… https://t.co/spRCNz1eL1— Jacob Soboroff (@Jacob Soboroff) 1554394462.0
Watch this. Around :50 we‘re running up and down a mountain in pitch black with the Border Patrol chasing two migr… https://t.co/eonCW2ZGMU— Jacob Soboroff (@Jacob Soboroff) 1554402811.0
You don’t need a pretend vest at the border. Sincerely, a guy from the border. https://t.co/zzNNPbq19f— Eric Lopez (@Eric Lopez) 1554395003.0
Awkward.