#RapeMelania: Twitter trend met with outrage & suspicion
An image from an anti-Donald Trump protest showing a sign reading, “rape Melania,” alluding to the president-elect’s wife, caused controversy with the phrase becoming a trending topic on Twitter.
Many were angered by the sign and, after the hashtag 'Rape Melania' was used tens of thousands of times on Twitter, the social network was condemned for allowing such a violent issue to trend on its site.
Hey @Support, why are you allowing #RapeMelania to trend? Isn't that condoning violence and misogyny?
— Schadenfreudelicious (@aggierican) November 13, 2016
So @jack and @twitter lets #RapeMelania trend but #LockHerUp, #HillaryForPrison and many others get delisted?
— Ryan Graham (@RyanGraham10) November 13, 2016
This is really sickening. pic.twitter.com/5dnVMML3uw
@SecretService Here's pic of " protester with " rape Melania". That's a threat to Trump wife. In DC. pic.twitter.com/EyOm3lagKg
— Nanda (@frangiaq) November 13, 2016
The image came from an anti-Trump protest which took place Saturday night in Washington D.C. Protesters marched from the White House through the city, stopping outside Trump’s hotel, where the image was taken.
The fact that #rapemelania is trending on twitter makes liberals and Hillary supporters look demented, hypocritical, & cruel. Inexcusable.
— Morgan Skipper (@Skipzzzzzzz) November 13, 2016
"Rape Melania" Is What #SorosLosers and #SorosRiots are about.
— Hddude45 (@hddude45) November 13, 2016
It's what #Hillary fake feminism stood for pic.twitter.com/oZ6GJxvLaM
#rapemelania is trending because so many people are denouncing the sign. I join all decent people by rejecting what it represents. #feminism
— Jessica Wilder (@JessicaNexus) November 13, 2016
Twitter users called for liberal feminists to give the rape sign as much attention as they would other feminist issues.
When you see Liberal Feminist not saying anything about Rape Melania just shows how fake Feminist they are like
— Hispanic Deplorable (@Chrisevansny) November 13, 2016
If Dems really care about us women they will denounce the #RapeMelania sign and tag. The hate and hypocrisy is depressing.
— Allie Leppo (@leppo_al) November 13, 2016
Where are all the feminist defending Melania for #Rapemelania ? 🤔 Unbelievable...
— 2016 Deplorables (@2016Deplorables) November 14, 2016
For the college educated liberals that think it is cool for #RapeMelania, here are my rape whistles..#AMJoy#CNNSOTU#MeetThePress@CNNpic.twitter.com/jRDSyYRDO7
— Hugh Jorgan (@huge_organ) November 13, 2016
Liberal logic...
— Jess Lynn 🐰 (@WhitestRabbit_) November 13, 2016
"Grab 'em by the pussy" =❌NOT OK
"Rape Melania" = ✔️OK pic.twitter.com/FM5X3Orsc1
Some users have accused the image of being a fake. One tweeter highlighted the fact that all other signs are facing forwards in the image, as the holders are facing that direction.
This whole "Rape Melania" thing: 100% fake. Trending cause of "outrage" and the sign seems to be photoshopped. pic.twitter.com/B4S3I5lIxB
— #J20 General Strike (@EmmaCaterine) November 13, 2016
the sign saying "rape Melania" at the DC protest is FAKE,the image circulating is edited.I was in that exact spot & promise it wasn't there
— memely📎 (@emilyufo) November 13, 2016
People believed the sign has been Photoshopped, pointing out the lack of depth to the image, and the sign being very straight.
@NoBigotZone so easily done - just another moron trying to stir up more division. pic.twitter.com/6JMDAlpjTa
— Melanie Wesslock (@nycpix) November 14, 2016
I'm an equal opportunity skeptic. Think the Silver Spring pro-Trump graffiti is fake and so is the "Rape Melania" sign.
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) November 13, 2016
Wait a tick. Why are all the signs facing forward except that one. That's a fake ass "rape Melania" sign if I've ever seen one. Show me vid
— Tarl Tankersley (@TarlwithaT) November 13, 2016
@GlennThrush Fake photo that started circulation on Twitter last night. Welcome to Breitbart World! Regardless, Melania s/be off limits
— Jenn (@JezebelButler) November 14, 2016
FRAUD ALERT - "Rape Melania" Sign is Bad Photoshopping. No Graphics artists noticed?? pic.twitter.com/izG5ZY6eXI
— Harry T Nacious (@HarryTNacious) November 14, 2016
Others felt calling the image fake is just an excuse by “liberals.”
And Rape Melania is trening today...
— spam (@kawaiisarusrex) November 13, 2016
You wanna believe it's fake, but deep down you know someone thought 'this is a good idea!'
Just wait for liberals to call the Rape Melania sign fake, instead of denouncing it.
— １９１６ (@PepeWillsIt) November 13, 2016
