Fact Check

Did Boebert Win Award with Name Misspelled and Red Lobster Gift Card?

The certificate read: "Hottest Member in Congress Award: Lauren Boebart."

Published Feb. 16, 2022

A rumor said US Rep Lauren Boebert won a hottest woman in Congress award and that it misspelled her name and came with a Red Lobster gift card. (Red Lobster)
A rumor said US Rep Lauren Boebert won a hottest woman in Congress award and that it misspelled her name and came with a Red Lobster gift card.
Claim:
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert was given a "Hottest Woman in Congress Award" that misspelled her name and came with a gift card to Red Lobster.
Context

While true, it appeared to be little more than a fun gag by the show, "I'm Right w/ Jesse Kelly."

On Feb. 16, 2022, political commentator David Pakman said in a TikTok video that U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, a Republican, received a "Hottest Woman in Congress Award" that misspelled her last name and came with a gift card to Red Lobster:

Lauren Boebert has been given the "Hottest Woman in Congress Award" by one of these right-wing channels, and the award misspelled her name, and included a gift card to Red Lobster, to the seafood chain Red Lobster.

If you were to satirize the modern Republican Party on a show like "Saturday Night Live," you would create a "Hottest Woman in Congress Award," misspell the recipient's name, and include a gift card to like Arby's or Red Lobster or something like that. It's exactly what you would do.

It was true that Boebert was given a "Hottest Woman in Congress Award" that misspelled her name and came with a Red Lobster gift card that was worth $27.43. It was awarded to her by Jesse Kelly, host of the show, "I'm Right w/ Jesse Kelly," which appears on The First TV network:

Kelly and Boebert seemed to enjoy the presenting of the "Hottest Woman in Congress Award" and Red Lobster gift card as little more than a fun gag. "We're going to do the best we can to up that to $30 next year, depending on how the show does," Kelly said.

He later appeared to joke in a tweet about the amount of money left on the card after receiving feedback that it wasn't brand new.

Kelly also noted in the video from his show that U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat, placed second in the running for his "Hottest Member of Congress Award."

A rumor said US Rep Lauren Boebert won a hottest woman in Congress award and that it misspelled her name and came with a Red Lobster gift card.
Some social media commenters mentioned the company's famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits. (Courtesy: Red Lobster)

In sum, yes, Boebert received a "Hottest Woman in Congress Award" that misspelled her name and came with a Red Lobster gift card.

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Jordan Liles is a Senior Reporter who has been with Snopes since 2016.