President Donald Trump's choice of words used to celebrate his military strikes drew hearty mockery after the commander-in-chief declared "Mission Accomplished" in war-torn Syria.
“A perfectly executed strike last night,” Trump bragged on Twitter early Saturday. “Mission Accomplished!”
In May of 2003, then President George W. Bush declared victory in the Iraq War below a "Mission Accomplished" banner on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
[caption id="attachment_629500" align="aligncenter" width="300"]
President Bush flashes a "thumbs-up" after declaring the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the California coast, in this May 1, 2003 file photo. Six months after he spoke on an aircraft carrier deck under a banner proclaiming "Mission Accomplished," President Bush disavowed any connection with the war message. Later, the White House changed its story and said there was a link.[/caption]
President Trump's choice of words did not go unnoticed, with many commentators focused upon how President W. Bush came to regret his photo-op as the war dragged on for years.
Here are a selection of some of the best comments:
@realDonaldTrump Mission Accomplished?! You mean like this https://t.co/k6maPMhLHh— (((DeanObeidallah))) (@(((DeanObeidallah)))) 1523709669.0
I think there is a banner he can borrow https://t.co/2eAq1DVuSN— Carlos Lozada (@Carlos Lozada) 1523708665.0
Mission Accomplished. Scooter Libby. John Bolton. We’re going to party like it’s 2003... https://t.co/HBmlHm0UeE— Mark Murray (@Mark Murray) 1523709377.0
Never ever say “Mission Accomplished”. https://t.co/LhIjZEWq4b— Philip Crowther (@Philip Crowther) 1523708547.0
Oh man. "Mission accomplished." A phrase George W. Bush used in 2003, and later came to regret because it conveyed… https://t.co/ZDuWQCq4KK— Kaitlan Collins (@Kaitlan Collins) 1523709036.0
American foreign policy in three quotes: "Mission Accomplished!" — George W. Bush "Mission Accomplished!" — Donal… https://t.co/dbJhe0BNIK— Jeff Tiedrich [retired account — see bio] (@Jeff Tiedrich [retired account — see bio]) 1523709221.0
The term "mission accomplished" was ultimately damaging for Pres. George W Bush but apparently not a concern for Pr… https://t.co/WYTJc65BYZ— Kelly O'Donnell (@Kelly O'Donnell) 1523708606.0
"Mission Accomplished" is definitely a very good phrase to use about a military intervention in the Middle East https://t.co/zMYMrAcbHr— Tom Phillips (@Tom Phillips) 1523708572.0
Saying "mission accomplished" always works out well for presidents ... https://t.co/fbf8tcNt04— Joy WE VOTED!! WEAR A MASK!! Reid 😷) (@Joy WE VOTED!! WEAR A MASK!! Reid 😷)) 1523709572.0
No-one uses this expression accidentally https://t.co/DtsHxJ2DqA— Margaret Talev (@Margaret Talev) 1523710179.0
Where have I heard Mission Accomplished after bombing a Middle East country? 🧐 https://t.co/oFjV2MQSDP— Neera Tanden (@Neera Tanden) 1523708713.0
"Mission Accomplished" This tweet will not age well https://t.co/pyk4BgUlet— Jennifer Bendery (@Jennifer Bendery) 1523709165.0
“Mission accomplished.” This guy has exactly zero self awareness. Also, it looks like he tipped off Russia. https://t.co/TBoqeXmcg2— Scott Hechinger (@Scott Hechinger) 1523709815.0
The kind of person that declares Mission Accomplished after one targeted strike is the same kind of person who'd fi… https://t.co/Eu376SUbdW— Dr. emptywheel (@Dr. emptywheel) 1523709304.0
Um...I would have recommended ending this tweet with not those two words. https://t.co/h5Fl7kjea6— Ari Fleischer (@Ari Fleischer) 1523709726.0
President Trump doesn’t seem to realize that “Mission Accomplished!” has a certain echo to it. The Middle East tend… https://t.co/o4I3Nii97k— Tim O'Brien (@Tim O'Brien) 1523708986.0
