Twitter Drags Trump for Bringing Confederate Statues, ‘Heritage’ Debate into Virginia Gov Election
There are a couple people on Twitter who are not impressed with President Trump endorsing someone because they’re on his side of the culture war about Confederate monuments.
Trump got back on the presidential Twitter machine today to declare his support for Ed Gillespie and his bid to become the next Governor of Virginia. As Trump praised Gillespie, he decided to highlight how the former Republican National Committee chairman “might even save our great statues/heritage!”
Ed Gillespie will turn the really bad Virginia economy #’s around, and fast. Strong on crime, he might even save our great statues/heritage!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2017
As Gillespie campaigns against Ralph Northam, he has slammed his Democratic rival by talking about his opposition to Confederate statues. The debate about confederate monuments has grown more contentious ever since the fatal violence Virginia saw months ago when white supremacists fought with counter protesters in Charlottesville.
In the aftermath of Charlottesville, Trump faced major scrutiny for putting the blame on “both sides” and for speaking glowingly about Confederate monuments. It seems a lot of online observers haven’t forgotten about this, based on how they are reacting to Trump’s remarks on “heritage.”
Lifelong New Yorker joins with lobbyist raised in New Jersey to save confederate “heritage.” These clowns ain’t talking about heritage. https://t.co/ycq1wI6lVs
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) October 26, 2017
Neo-Nazis marched through Charlottesville chanting “Jews will not replace us” and killed a woman while invoking “our great statues/heritage”
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) October 26, 2017
The president calls Confederate memorials “our great statues/heritage.” pic.twitter.com/2sC8n5347F
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) October 26, 2017
There is a difference in arguing history should be preserved vs. calling racist heritage that enslaved millions “great.” This is the latter. https://t.co/spXwC2cuFx
— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) October 26, 2017
Going back to the confederate statues again? Thought we’d moved on to more important things. You know, like the @NFL. https://t.co/pI4mAFKx76
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) October 26, 2017
“Our great statues/heritage.” White supremacy looks like two rich jackasses from New York/New Jersey defending Dixie. https://t.co/OdjpUo5LYY
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) October 26, 2017
It’s perfect because “strong on crime” and “save our great statues/heritage” mean exactly the same thing. https://t.co/xH3G5IpmGJ
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) October 26, 2017
When DJT says “our” heritage about Confederacy, it really clarifies he only talks to whites—& also what he sees as glue of white solidarity. https://t.co/N0ciGZEzzp
— Taniel (@Taniel) October 26, 2017
Even Terry McAuliffe, Virginia’s current governor, is not impressed with Trump’s tweets.
Virginia unemployment is 3.7%. National unemployment is 4.2%. Stop tweeting and get to work. https://t.co/8q31PZ7FCf
— Terry McAuliffe (@TerryMcAuliffe) October 26, 2017
[Image via screengrab]
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