Twitter Drags Trump for Saying ‘Mission Accomplished’: ‘Had to Double Check That It Was Not a Spoof’

In praising last night’s strikes on Syria, President Trump actually used the words “Mission Accomplished.” And people were rather stunned he would go there.

Former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer said that wasn’t a good idea:

Um…I would have recommended ending this tweet with not those two words. https://t.co/h5Fl7kjea6

— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) April 14, 2018

He explained the full backstory of that infamous Bush banner and how it “became a symbol of what went wrong.”

Fleischer wasn’t the only one who couldn’t believe Trump actually said the words:

I didn’t think I could be shocked by a tweet anymore but “mission accomplished” was so surprising I had to double check that it was not a spoof.

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) April 14, 2018

Not surprised he used it as Trump’s entire memory of “Mission Accomplished” is likely, “President looking kick-ass in flight suit”

— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) April 14, 2018

The term "mission accomplished" was ultimately damaging for Pres. George W Bush but apparently not a concern for Pres. Trump https://t.co/CXwBIqWTE4

— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) April 14, 2018

Mission Accomplished. Scooter Libby. John Bolton.

We’re going to party like it’s 2003… https://t.co/HBmlHm0UeE

— Mark Murray (@mmurraypolitics) April 14, 2018

Being the astute student of presidential history that he is, you would think that Donald Trump would avoid any statement that implies a ‘mission accomplished’ in a troubled region

— Roland Scahill (@rolandscahill) April 14, 2018

Saying "mission accomplished" always works out well for presidents … https://t.co/fbf8tcNt04

— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) April 14, 2018

Oh man. "Mission accomplished." A phrase George W. Bush used in 2003, and later came to regret because it conveyed the wrong message, that the Iraq war was over. https://t.co/GSHzRQbtbA

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 14, 2018

"Mission Accomplished"? Hmmm….

— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) April 14, 2018

Mission Accomplished, 2003 edition. pic.twitter.com/D9KN6slaur

— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) April 14, 2018

Trump tweeted on the Syria bombing: "Mission accomplished."

What was the mission? Why did we bomb Syria? You mean Assad won't be an evil thug anymore? It's a joke. Syria is a mess and will stay a mess. Nothing we do will change that. We can't bomb the Muslim world into reform. https://t.co/BtLRoeZMyH

— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) April 14, 2018

Mission Accomplished??? Lord have mercy. I remember the mistake of saying this exact thing a few years ago by President Bush. https://t.co/sj0gaJtldY

— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) April 14, 2018

A phrase indelibly associated with the Iraq War and inaccurate early declarations. Trump ran against the Iraq War https://t.co/mg4U1nGE8v

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) April 14, 2018

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac