Richard Nixon (parody)
Justin Sherin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1981 (age 42–43) New Jersey, U.S. |
| Occupation |
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| Alma mater | |
| Notable works | Parody of Richard Nixon on X (formerly Twitter) |
Richard M. Nixon, also known by the username @dick_nixon, is a parody account on Twitter created by playwright Justin Sherin.[1] The account recreates the mannerisms and speaking style of Richard Nixon, 37th president of the United States, commenting on the politics and events of the day.[2]
The account has the following of numerous politicians and journalists on Twitter, with many calling it an uncanny recreation of Nixon's political instincts and mannerisms.[3]
Background
[edit]
The account was created by Sherin, a playwright from New Jersey, in 2008.[4] He initially tweeted excerpts from the Nixon White House tapes. After abandoning the account for a few years, he returned to it in 2013, this time writing original tweets, using Nixon's old mannerisms, including using the phrase "My God", as the president did to convey shock or surprise.[5]
According to Associated Press writer Hillel Italie, the account "... is neither tribute nor parody but an uncanny reincarnation that has some Washington insiders and political junkies marveling that someone could so well capture the phrasing, savvy, tenacity, profanity and world view of our 37th president."[6] Sherin said he was fascinated by Nixon's "weird" and "convoluted" way of expressing himself: "I try very hard either to use something that he did say in a similar context or that I could argue he would have said when faced with such a situation."[3]
According to Sherin, this version of Nixon is still alive and resides in Saddle River, New Jersey with his wife Pat, vacations in Key Biscayne, Florida and makes occasional trips to Washington, D.C. He also makes "press statements" – usually "President Nixon is resting" – through his former White House Press Secretary Ron Ziegler, signed "RZ", and comments on the main events of the day.[3]
Reception
[edit]Elizabeth Drew, a Watergate historian and journalist, commented that "[Sherin] has his voice and his mentality down cold. And he also makes me laugh." Journalist Robert Draper remarked on Sherin's recreation of Nixon: "I never got to meet Nixon, so this is the next best thing for me." Political consultant John Weaver said: "He seems to know everything there is about Nixon. He also has the president's keen political analytical skills, and he has that streak within Nixon that undid the president."[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Sherin, Justin (October 8, 2015). "The Confessions of @dick_nixon". Vox. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "Richard Nixon Twitter parody account is spot on and hilarious". ABC7 Los Angeles. August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Popular Twitter account brings back essence of Nixon". The Arizona Republic. Associated Press. August 7, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "Justin Sherin". IMDb. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
- ^ Zak, Dan (July 29, 2015). "My God. Richard Nixon on Twitter is exactly what we need today". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Shelly, Kevin C. (October 13, 2015). "South Jersey native channels Dick Nixon on Twitter". PhillyVoice. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
Further reading
[edit]- Sherin, Justin (June 24, 2017). "How Nixon Would Have Tweeted Watergate". Politico.
