Charlottesville: Twitter slams Trump’s response, lauds Obama and Clinton’s

It has been a landmark weekend for the United States. On Saturday at a “Unite the White” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, a car ploughed into a group of counterprotestors, killing one woman and injuring at least 34 people.

A slew of messages, views and comments flooded social media regarding the white supremacist rally itself and the aforementioned incident.

The most notable of these messages stemmed from three particularly powerful political figures: former US President Barack Obama, former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and current US President Donald Trump.

The latter led with this tweet: “What is vital now is a swift restoration of law and order and the protection of innocent lives.”

He continued: “We must remember this truth: No matter our color, creed, religion or political party, we are ALL AMERICANS FIRST.”

Deepest condolences to the families & fellow officers of the VA State Police who died today. You’re all among the best this nation produces.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

Condolences to the family of the young woman killed today, and best regards to all of those injured, in Charlottesville, Virginia. So sad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2017

The above tweets, in which Trump failed to acknowledge the white supremacist rally, accrued a combined 208 000 likes and 45 000 retweets to date.

Other users noted Trump’s tepid stance on the rally.

empty and useless fake empathy

— Terry Kinney (@RealTerryKinney) August 13, 2017

pic.twitter.com/Xyd1NTgv3q

— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) August 13, 2017

From the golf cart, words to not offnse the Alt-Right, KKK and neo-Nazis that elected him

— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) August 13, 2017

Barack Obama then published a trio of tweets, quoting late South African President Nelson Mandela.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion…” pic.twitter.com/InZ58zkoAm

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017

“People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love…”

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017

“…For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” – Nelson Mandela

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 13, 2017

The initial tweet alone has garnered over 2.2-million likes and 915 000 retweets. In total, all three tweets accrued over four million likes and 1.5-million retweets.

As for the replies?

You, mr president Obama, are pure class. Much respect.

— Christy Canyon (@ChristyCanyon11) August 13, 2017

We miss you. We are in Hell. We didn’t vote for this monster! Please please help us. I know you’re respecting the office but the fate of the

— ❄️Kim Indivisible❄️ (@KimIndivisible) August 13, 2017

pic.twitter.com/iI2IzMj23v

— Amina Want Wantza (@aminawant) August 13, 2017

“My heart is in Charlottesville today, and with everyone made to feel unsafe in their country,” tweeted Hillary Clinton, beginning a longer thread.

My heart is in Charlottesville today, and with everyone made to feel unsafe in their country.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 12, 2017

But the incitement of hatred that got us here is as real and condemnable as the white supremacists in our streets.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 12, 2017

Every minute we allow this to persist through tacit encouragement or inaction is a disgrace, & corrosive to our values.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 12, 2017

“Now is the time for leaders to be strong in their words & deliberate in their actions,” Clinton added.

Now is the time for leaders to be strong in their words & deliberate in their actions.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 12, 2017

We will not step backward. If this is not who we are as Americans, let’s prove it.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 12, 2017

Feature image: Michael Vadon via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0, resized)