Donald Trump deserves credit for one thing, the man knows how to dominate a news cycle.
The Republican presidential front-runner kicked up a firestorm Friday with a comment that some say blamed former President George W. Bush for the attack on 9/11.
The real estate tycoon was being interviewed by Bloomberg TV anchor, Stephanie Ruhle, discussing presidential leadership during challenging times.
“When you talk about George Bush – I mean, say what you want, the World Trade Center came down during his time,” Trump said, when Ruhle mentioned Bush.
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Ruhle interjected to say Bush couldn’t be blamed for that, but Trump shrugged her off.
“He was president, OK? … Blame him or don’t blame him, but he was president,” he said. “The World Trade Center came down during his reign.”
The reaction was immediate, beginning with Bush’s brother, fellow presidential contender Jeb Bush, who ripped into Trump on social media:
How pathetic for @realdonaldtrump to criticize the president for 9/11. We were attacked & my brother kept us safe.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 16, 2015
Staying true to form, Trump counter-punched with stinging commentary:
.@JebBush, At the debate you said your brother kept us safe- I wanted to be nice & did not mention the WTC came down during his watch, 9/11.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2015
No @JebBush, you’re pathetic for saying nothing happened during your brother’s term when the World Trade Center was attacked and came down.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2015
One person not amused with Trump’s comment was former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer, who served in the Bush administration.
“When Donald Trump implies that since 9/11 took place on Bush’s watch he is partially responsible for it, he’s starting to sound like a truther,” Fleischer told CNN. “And after all, does Donald Trump also think since Pearl Harbor happened on FDR’s watch that FDR is responsible?”
Naturally, Trump’s initial comment and the exchange between the two GOP candidates set social media afire. Even liberals, who love to hate W, got in on the brouhaha.
Here’s sampling of responses from Twitter:
.@JebBush @realDonaldTrump The first part of the second sentence is true.
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) October 16, 2015
Second sentence: The first claim negates the second. https://t.co/WeXoxpYfe9
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) October 16, 2015
This is not how I remember the events of that day going down. https://t.co/lcDrQx0v8e
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) October 16, 2015
@mattyglesias @JebBush @realDonaldTrump Jeb, the families of the ~ 3000 victims of 9/11 beg to differ with your “GWB kept us safe” comment.
— Tommy Wright (@tommywright) October 16, 2015
Don’t be stupid, @realDonaldTrump.
— Adam Baldwin (@AdamBaldwin) October 17, 2015
@realDonaldTrump @JebBush do you blame FDR for Pearl Harbor.
— Tonya Moore (@onemoore) October 17, 2015
The evidence is unfortunately mounting that George W is the smart one https://t.co/omImXuajs0
— James Fallows (@JamesFallows) October 16, 2015
@JamesFallows @JebBush @realDonaldTrump That’s because you don’t recall FDR’s catchy 1944 slogan, “Keeping Hawaii Safe Since December 8!”
— Barton L. Jacka (@bljacka) October 16, 2015
I guess it’s turned into the Twitter troll election. Next stop 4chan and Reddit. https://t.co/jgC6dEE17m
— Peter Daou (@peterdaou) October 16, 2015
@nytimes careful Don… Your liberal is showing.
— The Panic (@Gunntwitt) October 17, 2015
@JebBush @realDonaldTrump Safe after but not before!
— Sultan Rahaman, M.D. (@RahamanMD) October 16, 2015
.@realDonaldTrump Delete your account.
— Bill Sanderson (@BanCollectivism) October 17, 2015
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