MSNBC test card reads ‘Trash man’ right after Trump’s Afghanistan speech
MSNBC coverage of Donald Trump’s speech on the future of US involvement in Afghanistan has people online asking questions about the channel’s test card that appeared on screen with the words "Trash man.”
LOL, "Trash Man". Is that one of Trump's nicknames? Naughty test pattern. 😁 #maddowpic.twitter.com/jt9kEGjBRE
— You Know More Now (@YouKnowMoreNow) August 22, 2017
Host Rachel Maddow was discussing Trump's remarks when the feed was cut, however, there was a slight delay in returning to full screen of the studio coverage which is when the conspicuous title was displayed on-air.
A test card is a signal broadcast when a transmitter is active but no program actually appears on the feed. Many were clearly amused at the apparent “technical difficulties.”
😄 #trashmanpic.twitter.com/HHWZGEIz00
— Laurie43 (@piperwired) August 22, 2017
I don't know about you guys, but this is the best thing I've seen all night. Thanks for the laugh, @Maddow. #TrashManpic.twitter.com/9SYMoAxAlm
— Rina Shah (@RinainDC) August 22, 2017
Yep, 45 is def the TRASH MAN.#resist#NotMyPresident@maddow@MSNBCpic.twitter.com/Gsjzqd43fD
— Zoë Hall (@starbop) August 22, 2017
As could be expected, however, Trump proponents were quick to call MSNBC out for the perceived slight against the POTUS.
MSNBC lost their feed of @realDonaldTrump to color bars w/ “trash man”
— Harlan Z. Hill (@Harlan) August 22, 2017
Sounds like a disrespectful codename for POTUS
Comment @Maddow? pic.twitter.com/DXco9eUUSb
I am not an @realDonaldTrump fan - but to me this is unacceptable #trashman#biasedmedia@maddow#unprofessionalpic.twitter.com/lE9focoLGK
— Jeannie Jay (@JeannieMJ) August 22, 2017
I have no doubt #trashman was meant to be pejorative but you do understand that taking out the trash sounds a bunch like #draintheswamp
— Michele Castle (@michelecastle) August 22, 2017
Maddow took to Twitter to explain that the whole incident was a simple misunderstanding.
ha! no. not by a long shot. that's the name of the camera that was tonight's pool cam -- popped on screen when the pool cam pulled the plug. https://t.co/V5hhzCzpQ8
— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) August 22, 2017
