Former President Donald Trump waited over 24 hours to issue a statement on the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell -- who passed away Monday morning due to complications from COVID-19 -- and what the one-term president had to say is infuriating the many fans of the late military leader and diplomat.
In a statement posted to Twitter by spokesperson Liz Harrington, because Trump is banned from the platform, Trump wrote, "Wonderful to see Colin Powell, who made big mistakes on Iraq and famously, so-called weapons of mass destruction, be treated in death so beautifully by the Fake News Media. Hope that happens to me someday,"
Calling Powell a "classic RINO," the former president sneered, "He made plenty of mistakes, but anyway, may he rest in peace!"
That, in turn," set off Trump's critics with respected election prognosticator Larry Sabato tweeting, "No decent human being will defend Trump's malevolent, spiteful, narcissistic statement on Gen. Powell. But those Republicans who keep silent today will speak volumes about how Trump has debased them and their once-great party. Candidates with no courage never deserve our votes."
CNN anchor Jim Sciutto refused to even link to the statement, writing, "Reading - but deliberately not sharing - Trump's statement on the passing of Colin Powell is another reminder there really is no bottom."
You can see more comments below:
Disgusting. But not surprising. https://t.co/dcpwXw7CzN— The Lincoln Project (@The Lincoln Project) 1634651404.0
No decent human being will defend Trump’s malevolent, spiteful, narcissistic statement on Gen. Powell. But those Re… https://t.co/byBekvDRxS— Larry Sabato (@Larry Sabato) 1634655497.0
Is @GlennYoungkin fine with this repulsive statement by his man Trump about our fellow Virginian, the late Colin Po… https://t.co/uRjQL2fY2A— Bill Kristol (@Bill Kristol) 1634651900.0
Youngkin needs to be asked today whether he can defend this statement and does he still accept Trump's endorsement.… https://t.co/QkA35tbstY— Joe Lockhart (@Joe Lockhart) 1634655307.0
tRump’s statement on the passing of Retired General and first black US Secretary of State is pure evil. Donald Tru… https://t.co/f66PU3Gix3— Richard N. Ojeda, II (@Richard N. Ojeda, II) 1634657097.0
So how does this statement from the former President of the United States make you feel as an American? https://t.co/qLuiOtEVTS— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1634656297.0
Reading - but deliberately not sharing - Trump’s statement on the passing of Colin Powell is another reminder there really is no bottom.— Jim Sciutto (@Jim Sciutto) 1634654814.0
Trump’s statement about Colin Powell tells you everything you need to know about what sort of person he is. Still… https://t.co/QIQsSHewUx— S.V. Dáte (@S.V. Dáte) 1634652299.0
Rather than retweet Trump's statement on Colin Powell, further polluting this website, I think I will just tweet P… https://t.co/yKHtoJSYNu— Glenn Kessler (@Glenn Kessler) 1634653848.0
Imagine, just imagine, if a Democrat and especially Squad member had put out a statement like this mocking Powell’s… https://t.co/RuXJeBRP25— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1634653159.0
Defend this statement, ANY Republican. Please. Try. https://t.co/qgp4VW0ioO— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1634650887.0
Trump’s “statement” regarding Powell is pure 🗑 — and that’s where it belongs.— VoteVets (@VoteVets) 1634652791.0
I bet the people who called me evil for writing about how Powell's death showed the importance of herd immunity are… https://t.co/5oE14z0kvO— Philip Bump (@Philip Bump) 1634651177.0
Donald Trump makes his day-late statement on the death of former Secretary of State Colin Powell all about… Donald… https://t.co/AWdsK6Ifnf— John Nichols (@John Nichols) 1634654529.0
Given Trump's swipe at Colin Powell, worth noting what Powell had to say about Trump and January 6 in his final int… https://t.co/ukBpKzEvMB— Cameron Joseph (@Cameron Joseph) 1634651619.0
