The tense mood at the White House was interrupted on Tuesday with the wild antics of Energy Secretary Rick Perry, who took to the lectern to brief reporters.
It had been expected that today would be Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s return to televised press briefings. Instead, Spicer fled reporters while Rick Perry brought laughter to the weary White House press corps.

Read a selection of the best reactions below:

Rick Perry to speak at today's WH briefing & as a Texan, I can guarantee he will say something so fucking stupid it will make your jaw drop.

— keith hall (@kfhall0852) June 27, 2017

Rick Perry entering the WH Press Briefing. pic.twitter.com/ZSYP0g92I7

— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) June 27, 2017

"I have not had that conversation with him" – Rick Perry, asked if @realDonaldTrump agrees human activity is contributing to climate change pic.twitter.com/7bIwEFmMnQ

— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) June 27, 2017

Rick Perry, the dumbest Secretary Of Energy in history says his goal is to "make nuclear energy cool again". Can't make this stuff up.

— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) June 27, 2017

Rick Perry, perhaps having not received the memo about how the press is treated in this room, tells a reporter his question is "astute."

— Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) June 27, 2017

Rick Perry is having the most fun of anybody who has ever stood at the Trump briefing podium by a factor of infinity. pic.twitter.com/u2gfDdbRyq

— Glenn Thrush (@GlennThrush) June 27, 2017

The New White House Press Corps. Come for Rick Perry, stay for the comment stream. pic.twitter.com/VJKmG8sb51

— Eric Garland (@ericgarland) June 27, 2017

Perry just said "The French…they're….different."

Sanders just made a go for the podium. Perry, nevertheless, persisted. https://t.co/ADYGLXsiWu

— Justin Ling (@Justin_Ling) June 27, 2017

Getting closer pic.twitter.com/kwoCW021QM

— Adrian Carrasquillo (@Carrasquillo) June 27, 2017

Sarah Sanders tried to get rid of Rick Perry but he was like onnneee more quesstionn pic.twitter.com/4ZF0bm9lUE

— Tasneem N (@TasneemN) June 27, 2017

It appears @SecretaryPerry does NOT want to leave the briefing room. Aides are now standing waiting for him to stop calling on reporters pic.twitter.com/SkdkerVkHj

— Cecilia Vega (@CeciliaVega) June 27, 2017

it's almost like perry keeps promising to take just 3 more questions but…loses…count

— David Mack (@davidmackau) June 27, 2017

Rick Perry is holding a White House press conference on energy but its clearly a naked attempt to get back on Dancing with the Stars.

— Negin Farsad (@NeginFarsad) June 27, 2017

This guy should not be in charge of ANYTHING. Period. #RickPerry #MAGA @SecretaryPerry pic.twitter.com/KZiCfBEhi7

— 🖤SnarkWhisperer🖤 (@SnarkyFieds) June 27, 2017

You can be depressed, or you can google the phrase 'Rick Perry eats a corndog in front of a painting.'

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) June 27, 2017

Holy shit, Rick Perry is insane. #PressBriefing

— Ben (@benseaward) June 27, 2017