04-06-2017, 07:12 PM
President Responds to London Attack With Range of Awful Twitter Behavior
Robert Mackey
June 4 2017, 5:57 p.m.
EVERY DAY, A NEW LOW. As Britons turned to social networks to try to get credible information about an unfolding terrorist attack in central London on Saturday night, the President of the United States enraged many by injecting himself into the conversation, and trying to turn the wave of anxiety and fear to his political advantage.
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Will Heaven @WillHeaven
This was scene as we left London Bridge.
11:42 PM - 3 Jun 2017
704 704 Retweets 421 421 likes
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Before the nature or scope of the incident was entirely clear even to police officers responding to the rampage, Donald Trump used his personal Twitter account to share unsourced, third-hand speculation about the attack from an American political blogger and then lashed out at federal judges for blocking his executive order barring travel from seven Muslim-majority nations as unconstitutional.
A screenshot from Donald Trump's personal Twitter feed.
After pausing for some rest and, apparently, to block a musician in Manchester who criticized him for retweeting news "like a bloody ghoul" Trump resumed his role as Pundit-in-Chief early Sunday morning in Washington, by falsely accusing London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, of downplaying the attacks as he attempted to instill calm rather than sow panic.
In both a written statement released overnight, and a video message on Sunday morning, Khan urged "all Londoners and visitors to our city to remain calm and vigilant."
Khan continued to project measured, steely determination during a television interview, when asked what steps the authorities were taking to prevent more "low-intensity attacks," using vehicles rather than bombs. He replied that "the police and experts and all of us are finding new ways to keep us safe."
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Sky News @SkyNews
Mayor of London @SadiqKhan responds to #LondonAttack, saying "there can not be justification for the acts of these terrorists" #LondonBridge
8:22 AM - 4 Jun 2017
455 455 Retweets 530 530 likes
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As part of that effort, he said, "Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days." There was, the mayor added "no reason to be alarmed" by the sight of those officers.
That message seemed to get through to Londoners, who do indeed take pride in continuing to "keep calm and carry on" when faced with security threats, as reporters for the BBC and Sky News observed.
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Brian Klaas @brianklaas
Brilliant & defiant interview from someone who was in a restaurant attacked last night here in London. The right response from a tough city.
12:51 PM - 4 Jun 2017
8,411 8,411 Retweets 12,884 12,884 likes
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Kay Burley @KayBurley
Despite continuing police presence and cordons, Londoners determined to get back to every day life #LondonAttacks
12:02 PM - 4 Jun 2017
92 92 Retweets 267 267 likes
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After Khan's interview was rebroadcast on Fox News in the United States, however, Trump leapt at the chance to distort the words of London's first Muslim mayor.
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Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
1:31 PM - 4 Jun 2017
46,470 46,470 Retweets 108,791 108,791 likes
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"The mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services and the government to coordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack and provide leadership and reassurance to Londoners and visitors to our city," Khan's spokesman told reporters. "He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police including armed officers on the streets."
While Khan refused to take time out to reply to Trump's tweet, several Britons did, including David Lammy, a member of Parliament running to retain his seat in the general election this Thursday.
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David Lammy @DavidLammy
Cheap nasty & unbecoming of a national leader. Sort of thing that makes me want to quit politics on a day like this. Evil everywhere we look https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...8963901440 …
2:14 PM - 4 Jun 2017
487 487 Retweets 1,214 1,214 likes
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6h
Mike P Williams @Mike_P_Williams
@realDonaldTrump I expect the rightwing bigots and Islamophobes to say shit like this but you're the presi-never mind.
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Mike P Williams @Mike_P_Williams
@realDonaldTrump How dare you attack our Mayor. Britain is meant to be your closest ally, but instead you're taking swipes on social media. Ridiculous.
1:51 PM - 4 Jun 2017
2,369 2,369 Retweets 17,068 17,068 likes
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J.K. Rowling @jk_rowling
It's called 'leadership', Donald. The terrorists were dead 8 minutes after police got the call. If we need an alarmist blowhard, we'll call. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/stat...8963901440 …
2:25 PM - 4 Jun 2017
62,034 62,034 Retweets 164,633 164,633 likes
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George Eaton @georgeeaton
Trump's tweets on London a good example of why "the special relationship" can't continue as before. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...8963901440 …
2:04 PM - 4 Jun 2017
685 685 Retweets 2,116 2,116 likes
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Adam Wagner @AdamWagner1
I'll say one thing for Trump - he has a knack of uniting huge sections of British society (against him)
4:40 PM - 4 Jun 2017
14 14 Retweets 45 45 likes
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Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, also expressed his dismay at Trump's attempt to whip of hysteria.
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Chris Murphy @ChrisMurphyCT
My god. @POTUS has no idea that the goal of terrorists is to instill a level of fear in the public disproportionate to the actual threat. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...8963901440 …
3:37 PM - 4 Jun 2017
9,551 9,551 Retweets 22,457 22,457 likes
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Khan, a former member of Parliament for the Labour party, was elected in a landslide last year over a Conservative candidate who spread racially divisive innuendo about the supposed danger of electing a son of Pakistani Muslim immigrants to lead the British capital.
That effort failed badly, however, and the mayor now enjoys an approval rating of 56 percent in polling conducted earlier this week. The same survey also found that more Londoners trust him to keep them safe than trust either the prime minister, Theresa May, or the opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
Despite Khan's popularity in the city, the mayor's faith has made him a widely reviled figure in the alt-right communities of online racists Trump's worldview is marinated in. The president's main connection to those groups is his former caddy and current social media director, Dan Scavino.
After Khan perhaps disappointed the White House by not replying to Trump's tweet, Scavino took it upon himself to tweet directly at the mayor of London who, again, was still dealing with the immediate aftermath of a deadly terrorist attack in his city to let him know that the president was still angry that Khan said, 13 months ago, "Trump's ignorant view of Islam could make both our countries less safe" by "alienating mainstream Muslims."
Trump was also lambasted for another tweet on Sunday, in which he bizarrely implied that since the London attackers used a van and knives to kill, restricting access to guns in the United States would not prevent terrorism.
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Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!
1:43 PM - 4 Jun 2017
32,998 32,998 Retweets 103,957 103,957 likes
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Tom Chivers @TomChivers
Yes it would definitely have been better for everyone if they could have easily got guns, good point Don https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...4649901056 …
1:50 PM - 4 Jun 2017
2,177 2,177 Retweets 5,997 5,997 likes
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Robert Harris @Robert___Harris
They had to use knives and a truck because they couldn't get hold of guns. Imagine the carnage if they had & had returned police fire. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...4649901056 …
2:01 PM - 4 Jun 2017
18,019 18,019 Retweets 38,532 38,532 likes
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Sara Hussein @sarahussein
The UK had its gun debate after the Dunblane school shooting. It was short and it ended with gun control. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/stat...4649901056 …
2:12 PM - 4 Jun 2017
6,469 6,469 Retweets 13,709 13,709 likes
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The new spike in animus for Trump, who was already deeply unpopular in Britain, would seem to make it unlikely that his previously delayed state visit to London will take place any time soon.
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Larry the Cat @Number10cat
The President of the US has exploited an ongoing tragedy in London for his ends; rethink urgently needed on his forthcoming State visit. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...5473406976 …
1:36 AM - 4 Jun 2017
1,614 1,614 Retweets 2,963 2,963 likes
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18h
Robert Mackey @RobertMackey
Seems impossible to imagine Trump's scheduled state visit to the UK happening now - unless he wants to see a million protesters in person https://twitter.com/number10cat/status/8...1255521280 …
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Louise Mothersole @lrmothersole
@RobertMackey I have never attended a protest or political march in my life but I will turn out if Trump gets a full State visit to UK
10:36 AM - 4 Jun 2017
10 10 Retweets 11 11 likes
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The reality that Trump's presence on British soil would spark massive protests seemed obvious to many in London, but apparently was less understood in Washington, where the president's aides told reporters that he was considering a visit this week.
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Evan McMurry @evanmcmurry
.@jonkarl: Some discussion at White House of possible London trip later in week to show solidarity after attacks http://abcn.ws/2ryJbzE
3:28 PM - 4 Jun 2017
184 184 Retweets 210 210 likes
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The prospect of Trump appearing in the United Kingdom on the eve of a general election delighted those who would like to see Prime Minister May punished for cozying up to the president.
Follow
Neil Claxton @MintRoyale
I so hope he does this, just so May has to spend her last days campaigning with the most unpopular man in the world holding her hand. https://twitter.com/evanmcmurry/status/8...1541595137 …
3:48 PM - 4 Jun 2017
2 2 Retweets 19 19 likes
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Robert Mackey
June 4 2017, 5:57 p.m.
EVERY DAY, A NEW LOW. As Britons turned to social networks to try to get credible information about an unfolding terrorist attack in central London on Saturday night, the President of the United States enraged many by injecting himself into the conversation, and trying to turn the wave of anxiety and fear to his political advantage.
View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter
Follow
Will Heaven @WillHeaven
This was scene as we left London Bridge.
11:42 PM - 3 Jun 2017
704 704 Retweets 421 421 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Before the nature or scope of the incident was entirely clear even to police officers responding to the rampage, Donald Trump used his personal Twitter account to share unsourced, third-hand speculation about the attack from an American political blogger and then lashed out at federal judges for blocking his executive order barring travel from seven Muslim-majority nations as unconstitutional.
A screenshot from Donald Trump's personal Twitter feed.
After pausing for some rest and, apparently, to block a musician in Manchester who criticized him for retweeting news "like a bloody ghoul" Trump resumed his role as Pundit-in-Chief early Sunday morning in Washington, by falsely accusing London's mayor, Sadiq Khan, of downplaying the attacks as he attempted to instill calm rather than sow panic.
In both a written statement released overnight, and a video message on Sunday morning, Khan urged "all Londoners and visitors to our city to remain calm and vigilant."
Khan continued to project measured, steely determination during a television interview, when asked what steps the authorities were taking to prevent more "low-intensity attacks," using vehicles rather than bombs. He replied that "the police and experts and all of us are finding new ways to keep us safe."
Follow
Sky News @SkyNews
Mayor of London @SadiqKhan responds to #LondonAttack, saying "there can not be justification for the acts of these terrorists" #LondonBridge
8:22 AM - 4 Jun 2017
455 455 Retweets 530 530 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
As part of that effort, he said, "Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days." There was, the mayor added "no reason to be alarmed" by the sight of those officers.
That message seemed to get through to Londoners, who do indeed take pride in continuing to "keep calm and carry on" when faced with security threats, as reporters for the BBC and Sky News observed.
Follow
Brian Klaas @brianklaas
Brilliant & defiant interview from someone who was in a restaurant attacked last night here in London. The right response from a tough city.
12:51 PM - 4 Jun 2017
8,411 8,411 Retweets 12,884 12,884 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Follow
Kay Burley @KayBurley
Despite continuing police presence and cordons, Londoners determined to get back to every day life #LondonAttacks
12:02 PM - 4 Jun 2017
92 92 Retweets 267 267 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
After Khan's interview was rebroadcast on Fox News in the United States, however, Trump leapt at the chance to distort the words of London's first Muslim mayor.
Follow
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"
1:31 PM - 4 Jun 2017
46,470 46,470 Retweets 108,791 108,791 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
"The mayor is busy working with the police, emergency services and the government to coordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack and provide leadership and reassurance to Londoners and visitors to our city," Khan's spokesman told reporters. "He has more important things to do than respond to Donald Trump's ill-informed tweet that deliberately takes out of context his remarks urging Londoners not to be alarmed when they saw more police including armed officers on the streets."
While Khan refused to take time out to reply to Trump's tweet, several Britons did, including David Lammy, a member of Parliament running to retain his seat in the general election this Thursday.
Follow
David Lammy @DavidLammy
Cheap nasty & unbecoming of a national leader. Sort of thing that makes me want to quit politics on a day like this. Evil everywhere we look https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...8963901440 …
2:14 PM - 4 Jun 2017
487 487 Retweets 1,214 1,214 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
6h
Mike P Williams @Mike_P_Williams
@realDonaldTrump I expect the rightwing bigots and Islamophobes to say shit like this but you're the presi-never mind.
Follow
Mike P Williams @Mike_P_Williams
@realDonaldTrump How dare you attack our Mayor. Britain is meant to be your closest ally, but instead you're taking swipes on social media. Ridiculous.
1:51 PM - 4 Jun 2017
2,369 2,369 Retweets 17,068 17,068 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Follow
J.K. Rowling @jk_rowling
It's called 'leadership', Donald. The terrorists were dead 8 minutes after police got the call. If we need an alarmist blowhard, we'll call. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/stat...8963901440 …
2:25 PM - 4 Jun 2017
62,034 62,034 Retweets 164,633 164,633 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Follow
George Eaton @georgeeaton
Trump's tweets on London a good example of why "the special relationship" can't continue as before. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...8963901440 …
2:04 PM - 4 Jun 2017
685 685 Retweets 2,116 2,116 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Follow
Adam Wagner @AdamWagner1
I'll say one thing for Trump - he has a knack of uniting huge sections of British society (against him)
4:40 PM - 4 Jun 2017
14 14 Retweets 45 45 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, also expressed his dismay at Trump's attempt to whip of hysteria.
Follow
Chris Murphy @ChrisMurphyCT
My god. @POTUS has no idea that the goal of terrorists is to instill a level of fear in the public disproportionate to the actual threat. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...8963901440 …
3:37 PM - 4 Jun 2017
9,551 9,551 Retweets 22,457 22,457 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Khan, a former member of Parliament for the Labour party, was elected in a landslide last year over a Conservative candidate who spread racially divisive innuendo about the supposed danger of electing a son of Pakistani Muslim immigrants to lead the British capital.
That effort failed badly, however, and the mayor now enjoys an approval rating of 56 percent in polling conducted earlier this week. The same survey also found that more Londoners trust him to keep them safe than trust either the prime minister, Theresa May, or the opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
Despite Khan's popularity in the city, the mayor's faith has made him a widely reviled figure in the alt-right communities of online racists Trump's worldview is marinated in. The president's main connection to those groups is his former caddy and current social media director, Dan Scavino.
After Khan perhaps disappointed the White House by not replying to Trump's tweet, Scavino took it upon himself to tweet directly at the mayor of London who, again, was still dealing with the immediate aftermath of a deadly terrorist attack in his city to let him know that the president was still angry that Khan said, 13 months ago, "Trump's ignorant view of Islam could make both our countries less safe" by "alienating mainstream Muslims."
Trump was also lambasted for another tweet on Sunday, in which he bizarrely implied that since the London attackers used a van and knives to kill, restricting access to guns in the United States would not prevent terrorism.
Follow
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Do you notice we are not having a gun debate right now? That's because they used knives and a truck!
1:43 PM - 4 Jun 2017
32,998 32,998 Retweets 103,957 103,957 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Follow
Tom Chivers @TomChivers
Yes it would definitely have been better for everyone if they could have easily got guns, good point Don https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...4649901056 …
1:50 PM - 4 Jun 2017
2,177 2,177 Retweets 5,997 5,997 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Follow
Robert Harris @Robert___Harris
They had to use knives and a truck because they couldn't get hold of guns. Imagine the carnage if they had & had returned police fire. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...4649901056 …
2:01 PM - 4 Jun 2017
18,019 18,019 Retweets 38,532 38,532 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
Follow
Sara Hussein @sarahussein
The UK had its gun debate after the Dunblane school shooting. It was short and it ended with gun control. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/stat...4649901056 …
2:12 PM - 4 Jun 2017
6,469 6,469 Retweets 13,709 13,709 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
The new spike in animus for Trump, who was already deeply unpopular in Britain, would seem to make it unlikely that his previously delayed state visit to London will take place any time soon.
Follow
Larry the Cat @Number10cat
The President of the US has exploited an ongoing tragedy in London for his ends; rethink urgently needed on his forthcoming State visit. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/stat...5473406976 …
1:36 AM - 4 Jun 2017
1,614 1,614 Retweets 2,963 2,963 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
18h
Robert Mackey @RobertMackey
Seems impossible to imagine Trump's scheduled state visit to the UK happening now - unless he wants to see a million protesters in person https://twitter.com/number10cat/status/8...1255521280 …
Follow
Louise Mothersole @lrmothersole
@RobertMackey I have never attended a protest or political march in my life but I will turn out if Trump gets a full State visit to UK
10:36 AM - 4 Jun 2017
10 10 Retweets 11 11 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
The reality that Trump's presence on British soil would spark massive protests seemed obvious to many in London, but apparently was less understood in Washington, where the president's aides told reporters that he was considering a visit this week.
View image on Twitter
View image on Twitter
Follow
Evan McMurry @evanmcmurry
.@jonkarl: Some discussion at White House of possible London trip later in week to show solidarity after attacks http://abcn.ws/2ryJbzE
3:28 PM - 4 Jun 2017
184 184 Retweets 210 210 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
The prospect of Trump appearing in the United Kingdom on the eve of a general election delighted those who would like to see Prime Minister May punished for cozying up to the president.
Follow
Neil Claxton @MintRoyale
I so hope he does this, just so May has to spend her last days campaigning with the most unpopular man in the world holding her hand. https://twitter.com/evanmcmurry/status/8...1541595137 …
3:48 PM - 4 Jun 2017
2 2 Retweets 19 19 likes
Twitter Ads info and privacy
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"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass
"Civil disobedience is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience! People are obedient in the face of poverty, starvation, stupidity, war, and cruelty. Our problem is that grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem!" - Howard Zinn
"If there is no struggle there is no progress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and never will" - Frederick Douglass