The Independent reports: Donald Trump has been criticised for tweeting out unconfirmed information about the London Bridge terrorist attack and using the incident to argue in favour of his so-called Muslim travel ban.
The President re-tweeted a headline about the deadly incident at London Bridge and Borough Market from the Drudge Report, a right-wing outlet.
“Fears of new terror attack after van ‘mows down 20 people’ on London Bridge…” the headline read, which he re-tweeted on his personal Twitter account.
NBC responded with its own tweet, warning its audience not to rely on the President’s social media. [Continue reading…]
Pres. Trump has used Twitter to share news report on London incident.
We aren't relaying president's retweet, as the info is unconfirmed.
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) June 3, 2017
Opportunist-in-Chief speaks pic.twitter.com/IeQOHwQ4qB
— John Horgan (@Drjohnhorgan) June 3, 2017
You are a cheap hustler occupying an office that you don't understand. https://t.co/ZwwtlGAUAt
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) June 3, 2017
The morning after the attacks, America’s troll-in-chief is back on twitter:
We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don't get smart it will only get worse
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
“Our people” — there’s the dog whistle to Trump’s racist supporters!
And it’s swiftly followed by an attack on London’s Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan:
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017
As a pathological liar, it’s hardly surprising that Trump would twist Khan’s words. What London’s mayor actually said was this:
Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days. There’s no reason to be alarmed.
Khan made this statement today:
We are all shocked and angry today – but this is our city. We will never let these cowards win and we will never be cowed by terrorism. pic.twitter.com/o7ZMwg28mv
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) June 4, 2017
Donald Trump should study Sadiq Khan’s statement carefully — he might learn a thing or two about how political leaders need to respond responsibly to acts of terrorism.
Even so, the notion that Trump has the capacity to learn anything is probably fanciful.
Rather than ask how or if Trump might rise to the occasion in a time of crisis, it’s time for the GOP establishment to face reality.
Come the day that instead of turning to Twitter to find out what Trump thinks, we are instead turning on the TV to watch an unscheduled presidential statement, just imagine what will come after this:
After the horrific attacks we have witnessed, I have directed…
At which point we then get to see exactly how dangerous it was for a man this ill-prepared and uninformed, lacking in sound judgement, discernment, intelligence, and intellect, to assume the responsibilities of commander-in-chief.
How much longer America must suffer Trump’s presence in the White House is impossible to predict, but Britain can at least save itself the indignity of having him ride through London in a golden carriage. Buckingham Palace merely needs to relay the message that the Queen will remain “indisposed” for the foreseeable future.
