Strange bedfellows: Trump’s son defends Clinton’s daughter amid accusations of stoking Islamophobia
Donald Trump Jr. has ascended his Twitter pulpit to declare his solidarity with Chelsea Clinton, who was accused of promoting anti-Muslim violence in the wake of the New Zealand mosque attack. The internet is now very confused.
“It’s sickening to see people blame @ChelseaClinton for the NZ attacks because she spoke out against anti-Semitism,” Trump Jr. tweeted Saturday. “We should all be condemning anti-Semitism & all forms of hate. Chelsea should be praised for speaking up. Anyone who doesn’t understand this is part of the problem.”
The supportive commentary followed a confrontation between Chelsea and an irate Muslim activist, who were both attending a vigil for victims of the deadly mosque attacks in New Zealand. A video of the verbal exchange, in which Clinton was accused of “stoking” the massacre, quickly went viral.
Also on rt.com Muslim activist tears into Chelsea Clinton's 'caucasity' at NZ victims' vigil (VIDEO)Trump Jr.’s Clinton-sympathetic tweet left many scratching their heads – with some even begrudgingly applauding his message.
“Oh dear God what has happened!?! Have I died!? Do I have a concussion!? Have aliens(the green ones don’t worry) invaded!?!” a shocked netizen wrote.
Oh dear God what has happened!?! Have I died!? Do I have a concussion!? Have aliens(the green ones don't worry) invaded!?!
— Cindy Abouhalawa (@cindila2009) March 16, 2019
“I just liked a tweet by Don Jr, I don’t know myself at all right now,” another stunned Twitter user confessed.
I just liked a tweet by Don Jr, I don’t know myself at all right now
— Ali Gonzalez (@aligonzalez03) March 17, 2019
*checks to see if sky is falling*
— Chicken in Black (@ChickeninBlack) March 16, 2019
Me waging an internal battle after realizing I agree with Trump Jr. pic.twitter.com/Kv5G6ofkaA
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) March 16, 2019
However, not everyone agreed with Trump Jr.’s analysis, with some arguing that Clinton had in fact participated in a smear campaign against Ilhan Omar, a female Muslim member of Congress. Omar was lambasted by the Democratic establishment after she called out AIPAC’s influence over Washington – a criticism that some, including Clinton, labeled as anti-Semitic.
“This is a lie. @IlhanMN said nothing anti-Semitic. She called out the power of the Israeli apartheid lobby @AIPAC, whose bidding @realDonaldTrump and the Clintons are equally willing to do. Meanwhile your dad inspires white supremacists and anti-Semites,” Ali Abunimah, co-founder of the Electronic Intifada, tweeted at Trump Jr.
This is a lie. @IlhanMN said nothing anti-Semitic. She called out the power of the Israeli apartheid lobby @AIPAC, whose bidding @realDonaldTrump and the Clintons are equally willing to do. Meanwhile your dad inspires white supremacists and anti-Semites.
— Ali Abunimah (@AliAbunimah) March 16, 2019
It's a causal fallacy to say Chelsea Clinton bears literal responsibility for the NZ massacre. She doesn't. She does however bear responsibility for sparking a horrendously toxic smear campaign against a female Muslim member of Congress who did nothing wrong. So, there's that
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) March 16, 2019
Others were less shocked by a member of the Trump clan defending the heir to the Clinton political dynasty. Journalist Michael Tracey made subtle reference to the fact that Chelsea is a long-time friend of Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka.
I think Chelsea Clinton will be OK after enduring that mildly uncomfortable two minutes. She has lots of important friends pic.twitter.com/8mGgGneQPF
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) March 16, 2019
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