- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Dallas and help keep the future of Dallas Observer free.
From her tweets about heil-ing Hitler to her unabashed support of the alleged Kenosha shooter, Jenna Ryan sure knows how to agitate her social media followers. Last week, the embattled Frisco real estate broker again enraged many when she appeared to tweet that her blond hair and white skin amount to a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Ryan became an international target of derision after she flew on a private plane to attend the Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally in Washington. There, she allegedly participated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol, livestreaming herself entering the building and posing next to broken windows.
Although she faces four federal charges, including violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, Ryan is certain she won’t serve any time.
On Thursday, Ryan tweeted a picture of herself posing with her criminal attorney, Guy Womack, at The Adolphus Hotel in Dallas. The two had met to discuss the “protesting charges” against her, Ryan wrote.
The post sparked a wave of criticism, with Twitter users calling her out on her decision to describe her Capitol activities as a form of protest.
“'Protesting’ oh, you meant the insurrection!” wrote user @DadWarped.
“Protesting” oh, you meant the insurrection!
— Time Warped Dad (@DadWarped) March 25, 2021
But her Twitter followers really let her have it after Ryan replied to someone’s Oprah Winfrey GIF, which showed the talk show host pointing and exclaiming, “You goin’ to jail.”
In a reply, Ryan argued that her defense is airtight.
“Definitely not going to jail,” Ryan wrote. “Sorry I have blonde hair white skin a great job a great future and I'm not going to jail. Sorry to rain on your hater parade. I did nothing wrong.”
Definitely not going to jail. Sorry I have blonde hair white skin a great job a great future and I'm not going to jail. Sorry to rain on your hater parade. I did nothing wrong
— Jenna Ryan (@dotjenna) March 26, 2021
When the Observer called to ask Ryan what she meant by the tweet, she hung up on us.
Following the reply, Ryan’s followers had a field day.
“Way to shout out your white privilege... May you be made an example of,” wrote user @Hayfont.
Way to shout out your white privilege... May you be made an example of
— Hayley Fontaine (@Hayfont) March 26, 2021
Others clung to semantics, saying Ryan may be technically correct when she claimed she won’t be going to jail.
“Correct. Prison is different than jail,” replied @charlieloko1.
Correct. Prison is different than jail.
— iamcharlieloko (@charlieloko1) March 27, 2021
A few people questioned whether blond is Ryan’s natural hair color.
“Martha fvcking [sic] Stewart went to jail, and she's white, has a good job, and is a natural blond. Don't think those roots won't give you away, Ryan,” user @CasperVDean wrote.
Martha fvcking Stewart went to jail, and she's white, has a good job, and is a natural blond.
— Casper Dean (@CasperVDean) March 27, 2021
Don't think those roots won't give you away, Ryan.
And some decided to screenshot Ryan’s tweet for posterity’s sake.
“In case it's deleted. The judge might want to see it. This tweet will not age well for this woman,” said @LeMagicalBanana.
In case it's deleted. The judge might want to see it.
— Ms. Z Wears a Mask in Public to Protect Others (@LeMagicalBanana) March 27, 2021
This tweet will not age well for this woman. pic.twitter.com/FHesTkBteq
Ryan, who has entered a plea of not guilty to the four federal counts, has a status conference set for May 11. We’ll see if the judge agrees that her white skin and blond hair can keep her out of an orange jumpsuit.
Keep the Dallas Observer Free... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Dallas with no paywalls.