'Beyond Parody': Kevin McCarthy talk spurs Jeffrey Dahmer and Cookie Monster comparisons

A cannibalistic serial killer, a Sesame Street puppet, and the bacteria Salmonella: Kevin McCarthy found himself compared to all three, and more, on Wednesday.

The comparisons began after news hit that the former House speaker — who notoriously voted against certifying President Joe Biden's presidential election victory in 2020 — would headline a Georgetown University event next week entitled "How Strong is our Democracy?"

"Was literally no one else available to give this talk?" asked Aaron Fritschner.

"Beyond parody," Bruce Goldberg retorted. Goldberg's fellow social media users accepted that challenge, and the parodies rolled in.

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"And their follow up lecture: 'How Safe is our Food?'" joked X user The Other MrsJones. "Brought to you by Salmonella."

"For next weeks discussion," replied @Miss_Demeanor, "we'll discuss the stability of a building with the arsonist who burned it down."

X user @FineWhiner brought conservative politics back into the mix with a jab at the Florida House representative who found himself last month the center of a sex trafficking investigation over accusations he'd had sex with underage women.

"And coming next month," added @FineWhiner, "Protecting Our Vulnerable Teens with Matt Gaetz."

A historical perspective came from X user @PiperCat55, who compared McCarthy's event to one led by a Depression era gangster known for his violent gang's robberies and a reign of terror over the Midwest:

“How strong are our banks? With John Dillinger," they joked.

Georgetown University's events website shows McCarthy will participate in a discussion on "how well democracy is working" and "a growing erosion of trust in democratic institutions."

Journalist David Lazarus quipped the event would be followed by a special panel discussion: "'Is it safe to eat uncooked meat?' with Jeffrey Dahmer."

And then, this: