President Obama addressed the downing of a Malaysian Airlines jet prior to a planned speech in Delaware on Thursday, but some were critical that the 40-second remarks were lacking.
The Boeing 777 passenger plane with 295 people on board went down while flying over Ukraine, near the Russian border.
Obama was in Wilmington to speak on infrastructure – after a photo op at a burger joint – but began with comments about the plane crash.
“Obviously, the world is watching reports of a downed passenger jet near the Ukraine border. And it looks like it may be a terrible tragedy.
“Right now, we’re working to determine whether there were American citizens on board. That is our first priority. And I directed my national security team to stay in close contact with the Ukrainian government. The United States will offer any assistance we can to help determine what happened and why. And as a country, our thoughts and prayers are with all the families of the passengers, wherever they call home.”
After the speech, Obama headed to New York for two previously scheduled fundraisers, the 394th and 395th of his term, according to the Washington Post.
Social media was quick to criticize, responding with tweets such as these compiled by Twitchy:
Obama: “It looks like it may be a terrible tragedy”
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 17, 2014
Wow. @BarackObama‘s entire remarks about #MalaysiaAirlines crash is basically “that sucks” & “we’ll find out if there were any Americans”
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) July 17, 2014
Obama, in sum: A plane crashed. It may be tragic. We’re trying to see if US citizens were on board. Hey, great to be in Delaware!
— Matt Viser (@mviser) July 17, 2014
Stunningly, the criticism was nonpartisan, coming from both sides of the political spectrum:
President Obama massively dropped the ball just now. 23 Americans killed and he says ‘it looks like a terrible tragedy’ then back to jokes?
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 17, 2014
Let me help, Mr President – it IS a terrible tragedy, and it’s more probably mass murder of your citizens & many other nations’ citizens.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 17, 2014
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but kudos to @piersmorgan for his honesty right now.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) July 17, 2014
The end is near. @DLoesch just RT’d @piersmorgan and not in a mocking fashion.
— Ross (@indyrallen) July 17, 2014
The president is in trouble when he’s lost Piers Morgan.
Obama visits burger joint after Malaysia Airlines jet shot down: ‘I’m starving!’
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