Paul Ryan weighs in on ‘Yanny vs. Laurel’ debate

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Wednesday weighed in on a viral debate over an audio clip on social media.

Politico’s Jake Sherman tweeted just before noon that Ryan had remarked that he heard “Laurel” in the audio clip, which went viral Tuesday night on Twitter. The clip divided users, some of whom agree with Ryan and others who insist the robotic voice says “Yanny.”

Good news: Paul Ryan thinks it’s laurel.

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) May 16, 2018

Ryan’s stance on the debate puts him on the same side as Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy (R), who was asked about the audio clip on CNN’s “New Day” earlier in the morning.

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“I hear Laurel,” Kennedy said. He then jokingly asked “Can I reconsider?” when he heard that CNN host Chris Cuomo heard the same thing. The Louisiana senator added that he thinks it is “creepy” that some people hear a different name in the audio clip.

Some Twitter users noted that the frequency of the audio clip appears to make the spoken name sound different, based on whether it is played through a mobile device or standard speakers.

On mobile speakers, it’s unmistakably #Laurel. With headphones, only hear #Yanny. hmm.

— Michelle Ukulele (@Ukulelemm) May 16, 2018

If you’re on mobile you’ll probably hear yanny, but everywhere else it’ll sound like laurel https://t.co/IySXShgamw

— bad (@ninobisnar) May 16, 2018

The viral clip is similar to 2015’s “The Dress,” a photo posted on Twitter that many said was blue and black, while others saw it as white and gold.