Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

President Obama weighs in on the controversy over whether peas should go in guacamole

Andrew Prokop
Andrew Prokop is a senior politics correspondent at Vox, covering the White House, elections, and political scandals and investigations. He’s worked at Vox since the site’s launch in 2014, and before that, he worked as a research assistant at the New Yorker’s Washington, DC, bureau.

President Obama decided to share his thoughts on what makes a proper guacamole on Twitter today. According to him, peas should not be included:

1) Why in the world is Obama tweeting about peas and guacamole?

The president was taking questions about health care and the Affordable Care Act in a Twitter Q&A session:

So naturally, Justin Green, the political editor of IJReview, asked the president about the afternoon’s most pressing Twitter controversy — whether peas should be included in guacamole:

2) Why had pea guacamole become controversial on Twitter?

Earlier in the afternoon, the New York Times sent the following Tweet, with a link to a recipe:

The absurd suggestion — and the Times’ assurance that we should “trust” it — had already led to many expressions of outrage, particularly on politics and journalism Twitter, before President Obama weighed in:

3) Hold on. Jimmy Fallon asked Jeb Bush about peas and guacamole weeks ago?

Indeed he did, as the above video, unearthed by BuzzFeed News, shows. “Have you ever tried peas in your guacamole?” Fallon asked. “We don’t do peas in guacamole,” Bush responded.

Fallon explained: “You put English peas in the guacamole and mix it up—” But Bush cut him off, shaking his head, “I’m afraid not. No, no.” Fallon laughed and said, “Really, you really gotta try it!”

So apparently the guacamole-pea conspiracy goes deeper than we ever imagined. But luckily, our bipartisan political elites have united in support of common sense and good taste.

More in Health Care

The End of HIV
The 45-year fight against HIV is one of humanity’s greatest victories. It’s also in danger.The 45-year fight against HIV is one of humanity’s greatest victories. It’s also in danger.
The End of HIV

We have the tools to end the virus. The question is whether we’ll abandon them.

By Bryan Walsh
The Highlight
The elder care solution that everyone with aging parents should know aboutThe elder care solution that everyone with aging parents should know about
The Highlight

As baby boomers age, caregivers are often squeezed caring for parents and children at the same time. They need help.

By Courtney E. Martin
Good Medicine
The cocaine comeback, explainedThe cocaine comeback, explained
Good Medicine

The next phase of America’s drug crisis is here.

By Dylan Scott
Future Perfect
The world’s deadliest infectious disease is on the rise in the USThe world’s deadliest infectious disease is on the rise in the US
Future Perfect

We discovered its cause 144 years ago. It’s still a massive problem.

By Shayna Korol
Good Medicine
How to talk to your doctor about moneyHow to talk to your doctor about money
Good Medicine

Health care in America is too expensive. But you can make your physician your ally.

By Dylan Scott
Good Medicine
Nurse practitioners are rushing in to fill the gaps in US health careNurse practitioners are rushing in to fill the gaps in US health care
Good Medicine

You need a primary care appointment. Should you see an MD — or NP?

By Dylan Scott