Social media is buzzing after Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford swallowed a bee

For once, no one can blame Premier Doug Ford for not answering a reporter’s question.

During a live news conference on Friday, a bee flew directly into Ford’s mouth while he was talking about the staffing shortages plaguing Ontario’s hospitals.

“Holy Christ, I just swallowed a bee,” the premier says, coughing violently, in video captured by CityNews.

Members of the audience, who had gathered in Dundalk, Ont., for a funding announcement, could be heard gasping in the background. Ford quickly drank from a bottle of water—then started cracking jokes.

“He’s down here buzzing around right now,” the premier said, pointing at his stomach. “He has a lot of real estate…This is going to be replayed over and over again.”

Although he tried to laugh his way through the incident, Ford was in some obvious discomfort. “He’s wedged in my throat,” he said. “Sorry guys, the little bugger got away in there.”

“This is a classic, OK,” he continued, moments later. “This is a good one. I’m going to be howling tonight watching this tape.”

Ford later joked that he may have to be "rushed to the hospital to get this bee out of here.” As many Ontarians know all too well, he would be in for a long wait.