President Donald Trump responded to the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran military leader Qassem Soleimani by posting a slightly pixelated American flag. Trump’s decision was met with both criticism and a number of jokes, including people posting a string of progressively more distorted flags.
Trump posted the flag photo on Thursday night as reports surfaced that he had ordered an airstrike at Baghdad International Airport in Iraq that killed Soleimani.
It’s also currently the president’s pinned tweet for his account.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020
Many people thought the flag tweet was an insufficient response to what could become a major event as tensions rise with Iran.
“A flag is not a strategy,” Samantha Power, a former United Nations ambassador under former President Barack Obama, tweeted late Thursday. “Trump is surrounded by sycophants (having fired those who’ve dissented). He has purged Iran specialists. He has abolished NSC processes to review contingencies. He is seen as a liar around the world. This is likely to get very ugly very quickly.”
A flag is not a strategy.
— Samantha Power (@SamanthaJPower) January 3, 2020
Trump is surrounded by sycophants (having fired those who’ve dissented). He has purged Iran specialists. He has abolished NSC processes to review contingencies. He is seen as a liar around the world.
This is likely to get very ugly very quickly. https://t.co/UV4o0uWVfe
So, war again? https://t.co/8Y5Ezr4Uga
— Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) January 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/TVietor08/status/1212925936695312385?s=20
When we make a decision as consequential as taking out a military leader for the sake of political gain it behooves all Americans to take heed
— P a u l ◉ (@ybarrap) January 3, 2020
Displaying the symbol of our creed in the midst of such a blatant political action is repugnant & all Americans shld stand up against it https://t.co/AWAgydgLGA
Several people responded to Trump’s tweet by placing increasingly more distorted flags. Several 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls also weighed in on the situation in a more serious manner.
— Justin Whang 🐙 (@JustinWhang) January 3, 2020
— j aubrey 🤠 (@jaubreyYT) January 3, 2020
https://twitter.com/KokonutRum/status/1212951246941937665
https://twitter.com/mookalt0509/status/1212952480981671936
https://twitter.com/lukaszjerzyk/status/1213082091379994625
https://twitter.com/MisterJayEm/status/1213087465336119296
— キルア (@gilip0ya) January 3, 2020
Here’s another look at the string of reactions:
Merica pic.twitter.com/RlgDY13lLD
— Justin Whang 🐙 (@JustinWhang) January 3, 2020
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