
President Donald Trump began Monday morning with a tweet admitting that his travel ban is, in fact, a ban. The claim contradicts with his White House's claim that "it's not a ban," according to Sean Spicer. It also runs up against the Justice Department, which is being forced to defend the ban by claiming that it is not a ban.
People, the lawyers and the courts can call it whatever they want, but I am calling it what we need and what it is, a TRAVEL BAN!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1496658302.0
The Justice Dept. should ask for an expedited hearing of the watered down Travel Ban before the Supreme Court - & seek much tougher version!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1496659079.0
In any event we are EXTREME VETTING people coming into the U.S. in order to help keep our country safe. The courts are slow and political!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump)1496659458.0
“Paging Sean Spicer!” CNN's Alisyn Camerota said after the "New Day" host read Trump's tweet aloud. Spicer made news and was mocked on "Saturday Night Live" for his claim that it wasn't a ban and that the president was simply using the media's phraseology to express what the travel ban was.
The internet had a field day with the tweet, calling out Trump's "stupidity' and mocking him for promoting a law that they believe will ultimately be struck down by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Check out the best below:
Sean Spicer January 31: "It's not a travel ban." Trump today: "I am calling it what we need and what it is, a TRAVE… https://t.co/fGp8uPBPKx— Keith Boykin (@Keith Boykin)1496660230.0
It won't - despite Potus desire to turn London into a case for travel ban and chance to bash political opponent dea… https://t.co/zs9UEzPIef— Christopher C. Cuomo (@Christopher C. Cuomo)1496658303.0
Whoa. Trump doubles down on Muslim travel ban, blames his own lawyers for watering down existing version. https://t.co/vRwhmy4uXi— Jim Roberts (@Jim Roberts)1496659870.0
@realDonaldTrump You initially said you needed a 90 day ban in order to improve vetting procedures. It’s been 90 da… https://t.co/rxJYfPbmIx— MatthewDicks (@MatthewDicks)1496658575.0
@realDonaldTrump Okay, honey. You don't have to travel any more. Just stay on your golf course.— Erich McElroy (@Erich McElroy)1496658388.0
@realDonaldTrump Unfortunately America didn't EXTREME VETTING the man who came into the White House. You are slow and demented. Resign.— Lesley Abravanel🆘 (@Lesley Abravanel🆘)1496659619.0
@realDonaldTrump That's funny, cause in our lawsuit against your #MuslimBan, YOUR lawyers told the judge NOT to cal… https://t.co/qWWZWzdzmH— Trita Parsi (@Trita Parsi)1496659006.0
@realDonaldTrump You are the worst thing that could've have happened to US & the world.Do the dignified thing, resi… https://t.co/012FMOOxij— 🚀 𝔽𝕒𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕝 ℙ𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕝 (@🚀 𝔽𝕒𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕝 ℙ𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕝)1496658932.0
@realDonaldTrump President criticizes his Justice Department as they ask the Supreme Court to reinstate the travel… https://t.co/mGy6a16UlH— Eric Yutzy (@Eric Yutzy)1496658911.0
@realDonaldTrump Every policy will be IN ALL CAPS from now on.— Jen Dudley-Nicholson (@Jen Dudley-Nicholson)1496658550.0
@realDonaldTrump Absolutely. Got it. @ACLU— Kno (@Kno)1496659421.0
@realDonaldTrump But please, keep tweeting. Every tweet you write eventually discredits every action you take in the future.— St. Nick Jack Pappas (@St. Nick Jack Pappas)1496659488.0
@realDonaldTrump Stop using London to fuel your hatred. And stop trying to instill fear into Americans. It's horrible and untrue.— Tony Posnanski (@Tony Posnanski)1496659350.0
@realDonaldTrump Your tweets will be used in evidence. Keep talking Easy D.— Ali Abunimah (@Ali Abunimah)1496659129.0
@realDonaldTrump Smart tweets. Angrily directing the Justice Department has been working great for you so far..— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee)1496659369.0
@realDonaldTrump It’s annoying when the courts don’t allow your bigoted flailing to stick. Huh? https://t.co/jYDQVvuALW— MatthewDicks (@MatthewDicks)1496659410.0
@realDonaldTrump Things way more likely to kill Americans: -car accidents while texting -bee stings -vending machines -Donald Trump— Cher Martinetti (@Cher Martinetti)1496659688.0
@realDonaldTrump Honestly the only extreme vetting we need is people eligible to be POTUS. https://t.co/cengaKQM9p— Cher Martinetti (@Cher Martinetti)1496659821.0
@realDonaldTrump Grampa shhh— csd (@csd)1496659510.0
@realDonaldTrump So if we're already "extreme vetting" then why do we need a travel ban?— Ben Ross (@Ben Ross)1496659928.0
@realDonaldTrump Yeah too bad you don't have any control over the justice department— mr. big boy, I presume ?? (@mr. big boy, I presume ??)1496658575.0
@realDonaldTrump https://t.co/21u4xP3g3A— Pierre Schydlowski (@Pierre Schydlowski)1496658653.0
Translation: The courts will uphold the constitution against my will. I know the TRAVEL BAN will never happen, I'm… https://t.co/LhqhrBKb7m— Steve Redmond (@Steve Redmond)1496659275.0