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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

Laurel, Yanny or … covfefe? White House joins in on debate

In this May 16, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump listens to a question during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Trump's team is running out of time to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement this year. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)
In this May 16, 2018, file photo, President Donald Trump listens to a question during a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Trump's team is running out of time to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement this year. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House is joining in on the viral debate over whether people hear the names “Laurel” or “Yanny” in a much-shared audio clip.

The White House on Thursday released a video featuring various members of the staff weighing in.

Senior adviser Ivanka Trump says, “So clearly Laurel.” Strategic-communications director Mercedes Schlapp says, “Yanny’s the winner, Laurel’s the loser.”

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway pokes fun at her endless willingness to spin and bend the truth for the president, saying, “It’s Laurel. But I could deflect and divert to Yanny if you need me to.”

Vice President Mike Pence wants to know: “Who’s Yanny?”