Donald Trump has spoken out about his Muslim immigration ban in a series of tweets.
Our country needs strong borders and extreme vetting, NOW. Look what is happening all over Europe and, indeed, the world – a horrible mess!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017
Presumably, he was referring to recent terror attacks across the Atlantic that Isis has taken responsibility for. But people urged Trump to look at Europe’s history.
.@realDonaldTrump And if you're going to bring up Europe, look what happened when THEY had religious vetting. Not good, Donald.
— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) January 29, 2017
Some went as far as to let him know that things in Europe were looking pretty good in comparison.
@realDonaldTrump @POTUS nope. we are very fine over here. check your facts. #germany #europe #MuslimBan #alternativefact #fakenews #Impeach
— philipp jessen (@jessenphil) January 29, 2017
Others suggested he should have done a better job on Friday’s executive order, which has caused widespread confusion in the courts, at airports, in the US and abroad.
@realDonaldTrump Probably should've had someone extremely vet the actual executive order.
— Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) January 29, 2017
Two hours later, he tweeted again, now about how the US’s (now temporarily suspended) refugee programme will start prioritising Christians.
Christians in the Middle-East have been executed in large numbers. We cannot allow this horror to continue!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017
The executive order he signed on Saturday suspended the US’s refugee programme for at least four months, but it also said that priority would be given to those suffering from religious persecution, as long as they were in the minority.As the countries – Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen – are majority Muslim, this would mean Christians refugees will be first in line.Some thought Trump’s policies would do more damage than refugees could.
@realDonaldTrump You are a greater threat to this nation than an immigrant or refugee will ever be.
— Tony Webster (@webster) January 29, 2017
Others mentioned the problem with prioritising Christians refugees in countries targeted by Isis.
. @realDonaldTrump Wrong. More Muslims have been killed in the Middle East than anyone else. Signed, a Middle Eastern Christian.
— Elie. (@eliefares) January 29, 2017
People started pointing out the obvious with regard to Trump’s personal relationships with immigrants.
Your mother was an immigrant.
Your wife is an immigrant.
Your problem isn’t with immigrants.
Your problem is racism.— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) January 29, 2017
Others just said what we’re all thinking.
@realDonaldTrump someone please take his phone away from him ??
— Mike P Williams (@Mike_P_Williams) January 29, 2017
Celebrities have been reacting to the ban on Twitter, as protests sprung up at airports around the US.Usually apolitical Kim Kardashian, whose husband Kanye West said he would have voted for Trump, posted a picture doing the rounds online.
Statistics pic.twitter.com/aSpyFuabct
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 29, 2017
The celebrated horror author Stephen King tweeted the following metaphor.
Imagine a hooligan pouring sugar into the gas tank of an expensive and well-maintained car. Trump is that hooligan. America is that car.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) January 29, 2017
Comic book artist Phil Noto gave Ms Marvel a defiant makeover.
I felt like I needed to take another pass at this one- pic.twitter.com/9N1Il3qVoa
— Phil Noto (@philnoto) January 28, 2017
Twitter itself had a message.
Twitter is built by immigrants of all religions. We stand for and with them, always.
— Twitter (@Twitter) January 29, 2017
Although some people wanted the company to do more.
@Twitter Shut down Trump's account. Please.
— Nick de Semlyen (@NickdeSemlyen) January 29, 2017
