Arizona's Republican Governor Doug Ducey received what's believed to be a phone call from the White House while certifying the state's election for Joe Biden on Monday.
But he didn't pick it up.
Video shows Ducey taking his phone from his pocket and silencing it during the signing. The ringtone that was silenced was "Hail to the Chief."
Ducey said he changed the White House's ringtone to the song so he'd never miss a call from President Trump or Vice President Michael Pence. If that's the case, then he hung up on the White House as he handed his state's 11 electoral votes to president-elect Joe Biden.
Back in July, Ducey bragged to the press about his close connection to the White House. Critics suggest Trump's fawning over Ducey was mostly to do with his need to win the state in the election.
"We've had so much outreach, personally from the president and the vice president that I had to change the ringtone on my phone. And it rings 'Hail to the Chief' because I didn't want to miss another call directly from the White House," Ducey said.
For many, Ducey's apparent snub of the White House as he sealed the president's fate is the perfect symbol of the waning days of the Trump presidency. Trump has been pressuring Republican leaders not to certify Biden's victory claiming there has been widespread voter fraud in the election.
This time, Ducey wasn't listening.
After dozens of failed lawsuits and a recount in Wisconsin, there has been no evidence of significant voter fraud. This hard truth was punctuated on Tuesday when Trump loyalist Attorney General Bill Barr confirmed the truth to the Associated Press. "To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election," Barr said.
Before Ducey certified the election on Monday, Trump called into an Arizona hearing-style event on election fraud and bashed him.
"The 2020 election was rigged it was a scam and the whole world is watching and they're laughing at our country," Trump said, phoning into the event.
'We got 74 million [votes] and we didn't win. But I know that we won Arizona and we won Michigan and we won Georgia and we won Pennsylvania and we won Wisconsin. But what they did is they played games," he said.
"This is the greatest scam ever perpetrated on our country," Trump continued.
As Trump's loss sets in he'll soon realize fewer people are going to pick up the phone when he calls. Power centers in Washington are fickle and move quickly. With Biden's election now certain, the soon-to-be ex-president should get used to the silent treatment.
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.